The Alienist (2018)

The Alienist features its primary antagonist, Willem Van Bergen, as a wealthy, closeted homosexual serial killer targeting young male prostitutes. This portrayal directly links queer identity to villainy and predatory behavior, presenting a highly problematic and negative depiction without any counterbalancing positive LGBTQ+ representation.

Mary Palmer, a character described as an Irish immigrant in the source novel, is portrayed by Q'orianka Kilcher, an actress of Peruvian-American and indigenous heritage. This constitutes a race swap.

The series portrays Christian institutions and certain adherents as hypocritical, cruel, or complicit in societal neglect. The serial killer's motivations are rooted in a twisted, fundamentalist interpretation of Christianity, which the narrative clearly depicts as pathological and destructive.

The film depicts Jewish characters and communities as victims of societal prejudice and anti-Semitism. The narrative frames this bigotry as wrong, positioning the audience to sympathize with the marginalized Jewish population.