While 'The Constant Gardener' foregrounds issues like corporate malfeasance in Africa, it largely grounds its story in character motivation and suspense. The identities of the main characters are intrinsic to the plot but do not feel tacked-on for representation’s sake, and their flaws are openly shown. Ideology doesn’t overrun narrative cohesion here.

The film critiques Western institutions and corporate ethics, presenting certain corporations and government bodies as ethically compromised, but it doesn’t directly undermine traditional family structures or masculinity. Some viewers might find the portrayal of Western actors in Africa somewhat critical, though not aggressively revisionist.

There is a clear critical stance against pharmaceutical and governmental corruption, and opposing viewpoints are not deeply explored, but alternative perspectives are at least hinted at. While it leans dramatically against big business, it’s less overtly dogmatic than more recent fare.