The film portrays the real-life bisexual lead singer Darby Crash, depicting his relationships with both men and women as part of his complex, rebellious identity. His bisexuality is present but not central to the narrative's main themes of punk rock, fame, and self-destruction, resulting in a neutral overall portrayal.

Pat Smear, a real-life musician who is historically biracial (Black and White), is portrayed by Rick Gonzalez, an actor of Puerto Rican descent. This constitutes a change in the established racial identity of the historical figure.

The film portrays Christianity as a societal institution that the punk movement, and Darby Crash, actively rebel against. The narrative implicitly validates this rejection as central to the characters' anti-establishment identity.