Craig's gay identity and the pansexual dynamics with Brian are explicit and prominent, with reviews highlighting the film's 'queer body horror comedy' and 'queer millennial' lens, including explorations of queer shame and codependency. Director interviews and plot details emphasize these elements as integral to character arcs and the central friendship/romance triangle, though the core premise remains sci-fi horror about trauma, addiction, and manipulation rather than identity politics as the sole driver.

Some audience reviews label it 'woke' due to the queer subtext and representation, contributing to polarized reception alongside mixed critic scores. No established-character changes or forced DEI casting occur; the progressive influence appears through prominent LGBTQ+ portrayal and thematic framing rather than overt lectures or systemic critiques. Casting evidence: Casting research is incomplete or contains unresolved comparisons; overall casting fidelity has not been established. Documented credits include Olivia Taylor Dudley as Joey; Jordan Gavaris as Craig; Lou Taylor Pucci as Brian.