The film follows a strictly heteronormative structure. It focuses entirely on the psychological interplay between a male and female protagonist, offering no queer subtext.

Darling avoids traditional feminine tropes, acting as a central agent in her own psychological descent. However, the limited cast prevents a broader subversion of gender hierarchies.

The cast is highly homogeneous, centering on the domestic isolation of two characters. There is no significant engagement with racial or ethnic diversity.

The narrative challenges traditional domestic stability by blurring the lines between victim and aggressor. It functions as a vacuum of social isolation rather than a critique of institutions.

Mental instability drives the horror, but these conditions serve the plot rather than offering nuanced portrayals of neurodivergence. The characters' states facilitate madness rather than providing agency.