Needless to say, there is a lot at work under the surface of this story, as it is an allegorical tale that relates the events of the rise of Stalin and the Soviet Union before the second World War II. (businessinsider.com)
With these two meanings in mind, the passion of Jesus bleeds through the surface of the story. (religion-online.org)
Bubbling under the surface of the story is a subplot of national revolution; one which takes centre stage as the trilogy continues. (premierchristianity.com)