Flashbacks depict anti-gay violence, and dialogue references societal prejudice against the couple, making LGBTQ+ identity a noticeable narrative layer rather than incidental. Casting reinforces this through openly gay actor Jonathan Groff and diverse family elements including an Asian adoptee.

Intruder characters add further racial diversity. While the core premise is a moral dilemma about sacrifice and faith drawn from the source novel, the choice to foreground a gay family amplifies progressive representation themes of acceptance versus religious extremism.

Some audience reactions explicitly labeled it 'woke' due to the same-sex leads and homophobia elements, though creator Shyamalan's approach prioritized thriller tension over overt activism. No source-material character swaps or identity-politics plot dominance, but the centrality of queer family life pushes it beyond minor or organic diversity.