The film features an entirely indigenous cast of Mexican and Central American actors portraying original Mayan characters, with dialogue entirely in Yucatec Maya, achieving organic authenticity that aligns perfectly with the historical setting without any forced diversity quotas, race-swapping, or DEI-driven casting. Themes center on primal human drives—family loyalty, survival, and a hero's desperate chase—devoid of identity politics, feminist framing, LGBTQ+ representation, or critiques of systemic oppression, patriarchy, or traditional norms.

Instead, it depicts the brutal realities of a collapsing civilization through raw action and violence, emphasizing internal decay over modern activist narratives. Mel Gibson's intent focused on archaeological accuracy and reviving Mayan language pride, with no statements promoting social justice activism.

Reception controversies stemmed from progressive critics accusing the film of 'racism' for unflinchingly showing Mayan savagery and societal collapse, culminating in the arrival of Spanish ships, which some interpreted as justifying colonialism—ironically the opposite of woke messaging. No audience backlash labeled it 'woke'; it succeeded as pure entertainment, free from lectures or ideological intrusions.