Director Taika Waititi emphasized these aspects in interviews, calling the film 'super gay,' stating 'we're all queer,' and expressing his affinity for queer love stories while highlighting Korg's queerness and Valkyrie's moments like kissing a woman's hand. Valkyrie, played by black actress Tessa Thompson, serves as the queer King of New Asgard, a role with a race change from her white comic depiction, though established in prior MCU films.

Jane Foster becoming Mighty Thor draws some 'female Thor' backlash but aligns with comics without altering Thor Odinson. These elements influence character arcs and subplots, with the film banned in several Middle Eastern countries over LGBTQ content and drawing boycotts from groups like One Million Moms for pushing a 'LGBTQ agenda.' Creator intent leans activist, and there is significant audience backlash labeling it 'woke' alongside complaints of tonal silliness, but the core premise revolves around Gorr's god-killing quest and Thor's romance/loss, not identity politics or systemic critiques, keeping ideology from being foundational.