The 2018 adaptation introduces more overt gender and sexual identity themes than the original, with some characters' motivations and personalities seeming reworked to foreground modern identity concerns. While the aesthetic and atmosphere remain strong, some viewers may interpret certain choices as prioritizing ideology over authentic period storytelling.

Traditional gender roles are frequently subverted, with female characters shown rebelling against norms and constraints in a manner that at times feels very 21st-century. Religion, authority, and family are portrayed with a skeptical lens. This update comes at the expense of historical realism in the name of modern sensibilities.

Alternative or traditional viewpoints are generally sidelined, and dissenting perspectives are presented as oppressive or villainous (e.g., the rigid headmistress, patriarchal figures). There’s a noticeable lean toward a uniform modern ideology, though a few moments provide subtle nuance.