While 'The Beguiled' largely preserves its sultry gothic atmosphere, the narrative noticeably amplifies the female characters' perspectives, at times sidelining the male viewpoint. Its adaptation choices, such as the erasure of a key Black character, feel motivated by current sensibilities but still anchor the story in its period setting. Not entirely derailed by ideology, but the focus shift is clear.

Traditional gender roles are subverted, with the women asserting power over the male interloper. Masculinity is undermined, almost lampooned, at points, and the film steers clear of sympathetic portrayals of the era's cultural or religious institutions. There’s a definite modern slant to its portrayal of morality, though it still feels rooted in the period.

Alternative perspectives, especially traditional Southern or religious views, are mostly reduced to background noise or implied villainy. The film largely centers a single, modern moral view, downplaying or erasing voices that would offer meaningful counterpoints, especially regarding race and tradition.