The plot follows her descent into murder after a rape, with her romantic relationship with the younger Selby Wall (fictionalized from real girlfriend Tyria Moore) serving as a key personal element that humanizes her and influences her attempts to change her life. Director Patty Jenkins explicitly stated she focused on a specific tragic individual's story without emphasizing gender or sexuality as themes, resulting in the lesbian relationship being portrayed factually as part of Wuornos' documented history rather than an ideological statement.

This approach keeps the relationship as a plot driver without added activist framing, lectures on systemic oppression, or critiques of traditional norms. The film maintains accurate casting of white actresses Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci to match the real historical figures' demographics, with no source-material alterations for diversity. Thematic centrality remains low because progressive elements are absent and the narrative prioritizes individual tragedy over identity-based messaging. Creator intent reinforces this restraint, delivering a straightforward biographical account that avoids politicizing Wuornos' sexuality or background, which supports the modest woke score by preserving entertainment focus on documented events instead of contemporary social agendas.