The film lacks LGBTQ+ characters or non-heteronormative identities. The narrative focuses exclusively on the protagonist's heterosexual compulsions and his relationship with religious iconography.

Female characters primarily serve as subjects of exploitation or catalysts for the protagonist's moral crisis. The film reinforces a hierarchy where male volatility drives the plot through depictions of vulnerability.

The gritty New York City setting provides a multicultural backdrop reflecting urban decay. However, characters of color are not prioritized as central drivers of the narrative.

The film aggressively deconstructs Western institutions like the police and the church. It portrays these structures as sites of systemic corruption and profound moral failure.

Substance addiction is depicted as a profound physiological and psychological impairment. These portrayals lean toward the pathological rather than exploring nuanced lived experiences.