These elements are not incidental but positioned as core interpersonal conflicts that compete with the shark-infested survival premise, shifting focus from genre thrills to identity-based tension. The result intrudes on the historical survival narrative by forcing contemporary racial grievances into the character dynamics. Director Kiah Roache-Turner has emphasized Indigenous heritage, systemic racism critique, and ongoing contemporary relevance as intentional framing devices, layering racial politics directly into the survival narrative rather than allowing the wartime events to stand on their own.

This deliberate thematic overlay turns the story into a vehicle for commentary on prejudice, compromising the purity of the historical genre elements. Audience backlash has specifically called out the prioritization of identity politics over straightforward thrills or accurate reverence for events such as the HMAS Armidale survivors, highlighting how the imposed messaging disrupts entertainment expectations.