The film uses Sichuan opera to explore gender fluidity and performative identity. It challenges heteronormative trajectories by centering a protagonist defined by stylized, non-cisnormative transformations.

By focusing on the clown-actor, the film subverts binary gender presentations. It prioritizes emotional complexity over traditional masculine archetypes, though it remains tied to historical operatic contexts.

The narrative emphasizes regional nuances of Sichuan opera rather than a homogenized identity. This elevates localized cultural practices above standardized national historical narratives.

The film engages with moral relativism through its 'Ghost City' setting. It prioritizes personal truth over state-sanctioned dogmas, critiquing rigid social expectations and traditional hierarchies.

There is no information available regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.