I had this reaction initially too. But I think there are levels to it—
Taking something to its extreme— porn actor becoming a literal totem, a plastic Venus of Willendorf— feels like it articulates/clarifies the dynamics in a way that subversion would not.
The work triples down in the last line: "Captured, those mediating access would wield immense power." Is this not a porn producer with an exclusive contract with a "star"?
It is super messy to tackle any of these topics as a writer, especially while maintaining such an open tone. Basically, the works trusts the reader to think "this is fucked up" without the work ever saying "this is fucked up". Reminds me of Blood Meridian. You could walk away from that book thinking McCarthy is OK with genocide. He is brave enough to let you think that.