The film operates strictly within the bounds of a traditional martial epic. There is no presence of non-cisnormative identities or narratives exploring gender and sexual fluidity.

The narrative prioritizes a male-centric military structure and conventional masculine archetypes. Female characters occupy peripheral roles, reinforcing the patriarchal social order of the 17th-century setting.

Ethnic dynamics are explored through the tension between the Han Chinese and the Manchu. This provides a study of 'the other' framed through historical nationalism.

The story focuses on defending the Ming Dynasty and its cultural heritage. While a Buddhist monk appears, the moral compass remains tied to patriotism and dynastic loyalty.

There is no significant focus on visible or invisible disabilities. Characters are defined by physical prowess, with no agency granted to those with impairments.