The story centers on a heteronormative romantic pursuit between a mermaid and a prince. There is no evidence of non-cisnormative identities or critiques of heteronormativity.

The film utilizes traditional gender tropes. The female protagonist is defined by her capacity for suffering and devotion to a male figure, reinforcing conventional romantic hierarchies.

As a Soviet-era fantasy based on a European fairy tale, the characters reflect a homogeneous, non-diverse aesthetic. No evidence of racial blending or diverse casting is present.

The film functions as a classic moral fable regarding love and consequence. It leans into traditional morality and the heroic sacrifice trope without prioritizing secularist critiques.

The protagonist's physical pain serves as a narrative device to illustrate the cost of her desire. This uses suffering as a metaphor for devotion rather than portraying disability with agency.