The film serves as a satirical look at how physical appearance dictates social acceptance. Much of the conflict arises not from the couple's lack of chemistry, but from Diane’s fear of what others think.

As Cheng navigates his relationships with his mother and his wife, he must also confront his own identity and what he wants out of life. The film explores themes of love, family, and identity, and features a mix of humor, romance, and drama.

A fascinating, understated theme in Up for Love is the role of technology. The relationship begins through a phone—a disembodied medium where Alexandre is equal to any other man. This mirrors modern dating apps, where height, weight, and age are often statistics to be filtered.