Sexton is my #1 favorite character. I discussed this in an earlier draft but I was having problems being moderately comprehensible, to the point, and both non-spoiler-y plus inclusive. I love Nyles.

It did strike me that Woody's "crisis" was, on a macro scale, almost laughably precipitated by small events/losses. Lost that in draft too.

I drew parallels between the wall-demons and the "publisher" and the other woman who reappeared in Happiness all in black. Those were symbols, to be sure, attempting to tempt or lure Woody back to "reality" and away from happiness. So I felt there was a parallel there between temptation/wrongful influence, and those demons.

The most troublesome interpretation of the movie's "deeper meaning" is that major depressive episodes can be resolved with a little bit of talking and the decision not to change anything in your life - just chat for long enough and you will realize that there is enough there already to be thankful for. I can easily see how people would argue that is problematic.

There is also the counter angle which is that the message of the movie directs one not to take risks, but to be content with the known path they already travel.

So those were ways I thought the message could be interpreted in a "wanting" sort of way.