The series features Adrian Garff, a gay character who endures significant bullying and assault due to his sexuality. While his later manipulative actions are not directly tied to his identity, the overall portrayal is negative due to the explicit depiction of prejudice and the character's non-affirming arc.

The show adapts Stephen King's novella, changing the protagonist's child from a son (Billy Drayton) to a daughter (Alex Copeland). This constitutes a gender swap for a significant character.

The series portrays a fundamentalist, apocalyptic interpretation of Christianity through Mrs. Carmody as a dangerous, manipulative, and destructive force that exploits fear and leads to violence. The narrative clearly condemns this extremism, positioning it as a primary antagonist.