Death on the Nile is a classic murder mystery focused on individual human passions like greed and jealousy, and the pursuit of justice through deduction. Its core conflict and solution are apolitical, centering on universal themes of crime and morality rather than promoting specific political ideologies.

The movie incorporates significant diversity through explicit racial recasting of several prominent characters, including Salome Otterbourne and Andrew Katchadourian, who are portrayed by Black and Indian actors respectively. However, the narrative itself maintains a neutral stance, focusing on the traditional mystery plot without explicitly critiquing or negatively framing traditional identities.