Hotel Cocaine walks a fine line: while the Miami drug world setting is gritty and driven, there are some minor signs of identity-conscious casting and dialogue. Generally, personality and tension fuel the narrative, but there’s the occasional nod to contemporary identity issues. This doesn’t overwhelm the story, but it’s definitely in there if you’re looking for it.

Themes like family and loyalty appear, but traditional masculinity is frequently subverted in favor of more morally gray or antiheroic depictions. There’s minimal glamorizing of old-school values, and underlying nostalgia for the era is often complicated with modern reinterpretations. The show doesn’t blatantly undermine cultural foundations, but there’s a clear modern edge.

While some diversity of experience sneaks in due to the setting, most dissenting or traditionally-minded characters tend to be on the criminal or corrupt side. The righteous path is generally reserved for those aligned with contemporary moral trends, and traditional perspectives rarely get a positive, nuanced portrayal.