The presiding officer of the court-martial, a role historically and canonically male in the source novel and prior adaptations, is portrayed as female in this adaptation.

The film adapts characters from the original novel and previous adaptations. Characters such as Captain Blakely and Commander Challee, who were implicitly white in the source material and prior versions, are portrayed by Black and Hispanic/Latina actors, respectively.

The film is a courtroom drama focused on military justice and the psychological state of a captain. It does not depict or discuss family structures, roles, or values in any meaningful way, making it neutral on family-life norms.

The character of Lt. Barney Greenwald, the defense attorney, is explicitly Jewish, and his identity informs his profound moral perspective on justice, loyalty, and the scapegoating of Queeg. The film's narrative aligns with his insightful and ethically sound viewpoint.