The film portrays Josephine's lifelong decision to live as a man for survival with deep empathy and dignity. It affirms her agency in subverting gender norms and finding love and belonging in an unconventional relationship, framing external societal pressures as the source of hardship rather than her identity.

The film portrays Josephine Monaghan's decades-long life as "Jo," a man, with dignity and empathy. Driven by survival and a quest for independence, her story explores themes of gender presentation and identity construction. The narrative affirms her resilience and agency, framing obstacles as external societal pressures rather than inherent flaws in her chosen path.

The film portrays Christian-influenced societal norms and institutions as rigid, hypocritical, and unforgiving, leading to the protagonist's ostracization and hardship. It critiques the lack of compassion and the oppressive nature of these moral judgments rather than the faith itself.