The film focuses on a traditional romantic connection between the protagonist and a former flame. It lacks explicit evidence of non-cisnormative identities or the subversion of heteronormative structures.

A female neurologist provides intellectual authority and agency. However, the plot relies on a traditional protective dynamic where the male protagonist seeks to save her from a curse.

As a Hong Kong production, the film centers non-Western perspectives. It explores ethnic identity through the lens of historical regional conflicts and World War II struggles.

The narrative engages deeply with non-Western historical contexts. It explores ancestral debt and the lingering effects of systemic violence rather than following Western-centric moral frameworks.

The sleep curse serves as a metaphor for neurological affliction. This risks treating a biological state as a mere supernatural plot device rather than a nuanced portrayal of illness.