Calvary includes a gay character, Milo, whose sexual orientation is acknowledged as part of his identity. His portrayal is incidental, neither uplifting nor denigrating, and his struggles within the narrative are not primarily linked to his sexuality. The film integrates his character into the broader community without making his queer identity a central theme or source of conflict.

The film portrays family relationships as complex and often troubled, focusing on the strained yet loving bond between a priest and his adult daughter, shaped by past choices. It depicts various family units experiencing challenges and brokenness without explicitly endorsing or critiquing traditional or progressive family structures.

The film critically examines the institutional failures and hypocrisy within the Catholic Church but ultimately affirms the virtues of personal faith, forgiveness, and sacrifice through its protagonist, Father James. The narrative aligns with the dignity of genuine Christian belief, even amidst widespread cynicism and corruption.