Girls Unbutton features lesbian themes primarily as elements of exploitation and sensationalism within a dark, violent narrative. The film depicts same-sex encounters in contexts of manipulation and degradation, failing to portray LGBTQ+ characters or relationships with dignity, complexity, or affirmation. The net impact is negative due to its problematic and exploitative portrayal.

Girls Unbutton features a central transsexual character, Mona, whose identity is treated as a shocking secret. The film uses her trans identity as a source of dramatic conflict, leading to her experiencing violence and rejection from her lover. The narrative frames her identity as a deception, justifying the negative reactions without offering a critical perspective, resulting in a problematic portrayal.