The Skeleton Key

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes related to non-traditional gender identities. The story focuses on the protagonist and the mystical traditions of the setting.

A female character leads the story through her professional skills and intellectual curiosity. Male characters are often shown in vulnerable or declining health.

Black characters play crucial roles in the story, driving the metaphysical elements. The film explores race through the lens of Hoodoo, presenting it as a powerful system.

The film uses Hoodoo to challenge dominant white historical narratives. It centers non-Western spiritual practices against established Southern hierarchies.

Physical and cognitive decline, such as dementia, serve as key plot devices. These conditions are used to create supernatural plot points rather than exploring the lived experiences of those affected.