The film lacks LGBTQ+ characters or explorations of non-heteronormative identities. The central bond between the two men is purely platonic and intellectual.

The story operates within a patriarchal framework where male protagonists hold all intellectual agency. Female characters remain peripheral figures rather than driving the plot.

The setting focuses on a homogeneous, white, Anglo-Saxon intellectual milieu. There is a notable absence of diverse ethnic perspectives or color-blind casting.

The narrative explores the human psyche through a clinical, historical lens. It respects the institutional structures of the 19th century without critiquing Western institutions.

Dr. William Minor provides a nuanced look at mental health and neurodivergence. The film grants him agency without romanticizing his illness or using it as a device.