The film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisnormative identities. The narrative focuses on survival mechanics and the geopolitical tensions of the Libyan Civil War instead.

Female characters demonstrate significant agency and professional competence. Alex, a medic, provides essential intellectual and emotional labor, avoiding the trope of the passive female observer.

The film depicts a multicultural Mediterranean landscape by centering African migrants, Maltese fishermen, and Turkish crews. Characters of color are treated as central protagonists rather than background elements.

The story critiques Western institutions and the bureaucratic war between nations. It highlights how administrative processes often prioritize political maneuvering over human life during the migrant crisis.

Physical trauma and psychological toll serve primarily as plot drivers for the survival genre. There is no specific exploration of neurodivergence or permanent disability through a lens of agency.