The film adheres to a traditional heteronormative framework. It focuses strictly on biological sibling bonds and the immediate fallout of maternal loss without exploring non-heteronormative identities.

Masculinity is depicted through a lens of survival and dysfunction. The narrative disrupts the 'competent patriarch' trope by showing male characters struggling with instability and tragedy.

The cast is predominantly white, reflecting the specific demographic of its Glasgow setting. The film prioritizes class-based identity over racial diversity within this localized landscape.

The film offers a sophisticated critique of systemic poverty and capitalism. It challenges traditional family structures and institutional authority, presenting characters who navigate complex moral grey areas.

There is no explicit focus on neurodivergent or visible disabilities. While characters experience psychological trauma, these struggles are framed through socioeconomic hardship rather than disability-centric narratives.