The film lacks explicit evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-heteronormative identities. The narrative focuses on a tormented man and his interactions with an orphan and two women.

The film subverts traditional romantic hierarchies by centering the protagonist's connection to two disillusioned women. These characters provide empathy and intellectual depth rather than serving as domestic anchors.

Set in the cosmopolitan port of Antwerp, the film's setting implies diversity, but the cast appears homogeneous. There is no explicit confirmation of multi-ethnic characters or diverse arcs.

The narrative rejects idealized post-war optimism in favor of existentialist themes. It focuses on individual alienation and moral relativism within a secular, urban landscape.

The protagonist's 'torment' may suggest a psychological struggle or neurodivergent experience. However, it is unclear if this is treated with agency or used merely as a plot device.