The film contains no LGBTQ+ characters or non-heteronormative identities. All romantic and predatory tensions are strictly framed within a heteronormative structure.

Esmeralda disrupts traditional hierarchies by acting as a free-spirited agent rather than a submissive figure. Her autonomy allows her to serve as a plot catalyst rather than a mere object of desire.

The story centers on Esmeralda, a Romani woman, highlighting the 'othering' of ethnic minorities. Her identity drives the tension between marginalized people and the dominant social order.

The film critiques Western institutions by portraying religious and judicial authorities as corrupt and predatory. It frames the outcasts as possessing more ethical clarity than the pillars of society.

Quasimodo’s disability is central to the plot, exploring the social isolation and stigma of physical difference. He is granted significant emotional agency and compassion throughout his arc.