The film operates within a traditional heteronormative framework. There are no non-cisnormative gender identities or same-sex romantic narratives present.

Oiwa disrupts conventional hierarchies by centering her agency through post-mortem retribution. While initially a victim of patriarchal greed, her transformation into a vengeful spirit shifts the power dynamic.

The cast is ethnically homogeneous, reflecting the Edo-period setting. The film maintains historical authenticity rather than utilizing race-bent or color-blind casting.

The narrative prioritizes folk spirituality and the supernatural over organized religion. It critiques the pursuit of material wealth and the corruption of interpersonal loyalty.

Physical disfigurement serves as a central driver of the plot. However, the depiction uses bodily alteration primarily as a narrative device for horror.