The film adheres strictly to the heteronormative social structures of the 19th-century Russian aristocracy. No non-cisnormative identities or narratives challenging sexual hierarchies are present.

Female characters are often depicted through the lens of aristocratic social utility and marriage. The narrative primarily centers on Pierre’s masculine trajectory of spiritual evolution through suffering.

The cast is almost exclusively white and Russian, reflecting the historical setting. The film prioritizes period accuracy over modern casting interventions or diverse ethnic perspectives.

The story is deeply intertwined with Orthodox Christian spirituality as a moral framework. It critiques aristocratic decadence while remaining rooted in traditional religious and nationalistic values.

Wounded soldiers appear as visual markers of war's devastation and historical realism. However, these characters lack narrative agency or central thematic importance.