“Sisi” appears to infuse modern sensibilities into a historical setting. Characters, especially Sisi herself, are portrayed with contemporary attitudes about independence and empowerment, which can sometimes feel at odds with the reality of 19th-century Austria. Some viewers may interpret the focus on Sisi’s rebellious streak as prioritizing modern ideology over authentic storytelling.

The show often subverts traditional gender roles and places a strong focus on Sisi’s defiance of royal and societal expectations. Themes like family, royalty, and tradition are consistently questioned or undermined, reflecting a modern critical lens rather than historical reverence for Austrian heritage.

Much of the show appears to present a unified, ‘enlightened’ worldview, with traditional perspectives rarely given a nuanced voice. Dissenters are generally portrayed as relics or obstacles, and there’s a clear celebration of progressive ideals. Still, it doesn’t quite reach the cartoonish extremes sometimes seen in other recent series.