The film centers a transgender protagonist navigating gender dysphoria and self-actualization. While it avoids tokenism, the narrative occasionally shifts focus toward the spouse's emotional response rather than the protagonist's internal autonomy.

The story disrupts 1920s gender hierarchies by subverting expectations of domesticity. Gerda Wegener is portrayed as a successful, competent artist, providing a nuanced depiction of female agency and intellectual strength.

Set in 1920s Copenhagen, the film maintains a homogeneous, white, European demographic. It lacks intentional racial blending or the inclusion of non-Anglo-Saxon perspectives within its historical context.

The narrative critiques early 20th-century medical institutions and prioritizes personal authenticity over rigid social codes. It explores identity through a lens of moral relativism rather than religious conformity.

The film explores the intersection of gender identity and medicalized bodies. Lili’s physical and psychological journey is tied to the medical interventions and systemic struggles of the era.