Its storytelling follows classic detective and horror tropes with a capable female protagonist whose role is justified entirely by the plot's investigative needs, without any framing around gender, identity, or social justice. The film features its original cast including Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, with no alterations to established characters or source material for diversity purposes. Released well before modern identity-driven revisions, the movie adheres strictly to its traditional crime-thriller premise with no race, gender, or sexuality changes imposed on any characters and zero activist intent from the creators.

Buffalo Bill's portrayal draws criticism from progressives for its negative associations rather than any attempt to frame it as representation, while the strong female lead remains organic to the story's requirements instead of serving ideological messaging. This approach keeps the focus on narrative tension and character psychology without injecting contemporary social agendas.