This representation is foregrounded early and contributed directly to the movie being banned or heavily censored in multiple countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Egypt due to the LGBTQ content. Some audience reactions and online commentary label the inclusion as woke or part of an 'M-She-U' shift, with criticism that it sidelines the titular character in favor of the new diverse lead's journey.

Casting of Xochitl Gomez as Chavez drew additional commentary on skin tone and appearance not fully aligning with certain comic depictions of the character as darker-skinned Latina. However, these elements remain secondary to the core multiverse adventure, horror-tinged plot centered on Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff's personal conflicts over power and loss.

No established characters undergo race or gender swaps, there are no overt lectures on systemic issues or critiques of traditional norms, and director Sam Raimi interviews emphasize storytelling and genre conventions rather than activist intent. The ideological content influences a subplot and character introduction but does not drive the premise or emotional core.