The diverse supporting cast—including Zendaya as the sarcastic Michelle 'MJ' Jones, Jacob Batalon as best friend Ned, Laura Harrier as Liz Allan, and Donald Glover as Aaron Davis—mirrors a realistic Queens, New York high school environment without forcing identity politics into character motivations, arcs, or conflicts. Pre-release backlash over Zendaya's casting stemmed from unfounded fears of race-swapping Mary Jane Watson, but the film smartly introduces her as a new character, avoiding source material alterations that prioritize diversity over story fidelity.

Themes emphasize personal responsibility, friendship, and heroism, with no overt social justice lectures, critiques of traditional masculinity, or narratives of systemic oppression. Creators like director Jon Watts highlighted diversity for authenticity to the setting, not activist mandates, resulting in broad appeal and blockbuster success without notable audience revolt against 'woke' elements.