The film centers on heteronormative obsessions and traditional gendered desire. It lacks significant LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that actively critique heteronormativity through non-cisnormative identities.

The narrative portrays psychologically fractured and morally compromised men rather than stable leaders. However, women often function as catalysts for male decay through objectification rather than possessing independent agency.

Set in 1947 Los Angeles, the film acknowledges the era's systemic social hierarchies and segregation. Characters of color remain largely relegated to the periphery of the central investigation.

The film excels in deconstructing Western institutions, framing the LAPD as a corrupt and morally bankrupt entity. It replaces heroic tropes with a cynical view of institutional authority.

Psychological instability and obsessive tendencies are explored through the protagonists' hallucinations. These elements serve noir-style tension rather than providing a nuanced exploration of lived mental health experiences.