The narrative focuses strictly on political dissidence and familial separation during the dictatorship. No LGBTQ+ characters or queer coding appear in the plot or supporting cast. The story operates within a standard heteronormative framework typical of historical political thrillers from this era.

Female characters like Dona Sebastiana hold significant agency within the dissident network, challenging patriarchal authority. However, the narrative does not fully elevate women to ultimate control, balancing this against a critique of toxic masculine violence embodied by the corrupt police chief and his sons.

The film centers Afro-Brazilian experiences and explicitly includes Angolan Civil War refugees. This intersection of race and post-colonialism positions characters of color as central agents, effectively challenging historical erasure and linking Brazilian turmoil to broader African anti-colonial struggles.

Carnival serves as a vital backdrop, grounding the thriller in specific Brazilian cultural traditions. The narrative critiques authoritarian institutions by aligning moral center with dissidents and refugees, offering a sophisticated, non-Western critique of power dynamics and state violence.

The plot focuses on political persecution and physical danger without engaging disability as a thematic element. There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities portrayed with agency or depth, resulting in a complete absence of representation in this category.