According to the writer, the divergent world views of the two protagonists were based on the differences between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.
The two main characters are never referred to as "Queen" or "Slim". Including their interactions with each other and other characters, the only times they are referred to by name are in news reports covering the manhunt for them. The news reports only use their real names (Ernest Hines and Angela Johnson).
First feature film to be directed by Melina Matsoukas, who has previously only directed music videos and TV episodes.
Queen and Slim meet a man praising them as the New Black Panthers. Daniel would go on to star in Judas e o Messias Negro (2021) about the Chicago charter of the Black Panthers.
By sheer coincidence, both the main American characters are played by British actors.