The teen thief ensemble features organic diversity reflective of a Southwestern border setting: white actors Jack Champion and Sophia Lillis alongside Black actors Whitney Peak and Zaire Adams (playing a queer Black teen relegated to lookout and critiqued as cowardly), Latina Inde Navarrette, and non-binary actor Blu del Barrio in a cis male role. Cartel villains are appropriately cast with Mexican actors like Kate del Castillo and Tony Dalton.

Themes emphasize morality, loyalty, and consequences without systemic critiques, identity lectures, or social justice activism. Production notes and reviews highlight implausible plotting and mixed action over any messaging.

No creator interviews tout inclusion mandates, and audience/critic reception lacks 'woke' backlash or controversy, praising the film's focus on thrills despite flaws. This incidental, setting-appropriate representation does not drive narrative or compromise storytelling.