At the very least, Perry's closeups allow us to measure Elizabeth Moss's talent in microscopic detail.

I also think the movie is saying something about privilege; but whether it's meant to be a genuine observation or a joke is unclear to me. Catherine and Virginia are absurdly shallow and solipsistic; but is this also the source of their madness? And if so does this make it any less real?

I don't know.

But Moss does seem to know. And that was enough for me.