In a 2018 interview with FF2 Media about Leave No Trace, Granik discusses the themes of the film and what drew her to creating the film:I realized while reading it that one of the turning points in a girl’s coming-of-age is coming to terms with the fact that as much as you may care about someone, you can’t necessarily save them or even help them. You can be loving and tolerant, but you can’t fix them. And that’s something she’s really struggling with in a really robust way, especially when they’re in a new setting.
In an interview with FF2 Media about the film "Leave No Trace," director Granik discusses the themes of the movie and what inspired her to make it: She realized while reading the source material that one of the key moments in a young woman's coming-of-age is learning that she can’t always save or help someone, even if she cares deeply.  She emphasizes this struggle, especially when the person is in a new environment.