The film subtly portrays Eli as a non-cisgender character through direct dialogue and visual cues. This aspect of Eli's identity is presented factually and without judgment, contributing to a complex and sympathetic characterization. The narrative treats Eli's identity with dignity and respect, focusing on the affirming and protective bond formed with Oskar, resulting in a net positive portrayal.

The film subtly implies that the character Eli was castrated in the past, aligning with a historical understanding of transsexual identity. This past trauma is presented with solemnity and empathy, contributing to Eli's complex and sympathetic portrayal. The narrative focuses on Eli's struggle and their deep bond with Oskar, affirming their worth without ridicule or villainy, thus resulting in a net positive portrayal.

The character Eli, canonically established as biologically male in the source novel, is portrayed as female in the film adaptation. While the film includes subtle hints about Eli's past, the on-screen portrayal primarily presents Eli as a girl, differing from the source's explicit gender identity.

The film portrays traditional family structures as broken or absent, with parental figures being ineffective or monstrous. It ultimately celebrates a highly unconventional, chosen family bond between its two protagonists as a replacement for these failed traditional units, subverting traditional gender roles and parental authority.