The Night Of

Representation / casting choices

Pakistani-American lead and family fit Queens immigrant taxi-driver world perfectly; diverse New York supporting cast feels natural with no audience-visible forced swaps or signaling.

Political / ideological dialogue

Occasional slurs and post-9/11 suspicion references appear, but no activist monologues, modern jargon, or heavy-handed messaging.

Identity-driven story themes

Muslim and immigrant background adds realistic layers of family strain and suspicion, yet creators and star described it as background detail, not the core focus.

Institutional / cultural critique

Clear look at how courts, police, and especially Rikers prison dehumanize people and change the accused; noticeable system critique but presented as straight realistic drama without reframing into current identity politics or anti-Western ideology.