Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Live-action tale about high school besties has peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Daphne & Velma
What's the Story?
High schoolers Daphne Blake (Sarah Jeffery) and Velma Dinkley (Sarah Gilman) are online pals when DAPHNE & VELMA begins. Though they've never met in person, Daphne is thrilled to tell her friend that, through a stroke of good luck, she will be enrolling in Velma's high school the very next day. Velma looks less than ecstatic. Indeed, Daphne is surprised and hurt when Velma keeps her distance at the high-tech experimental school they now attend together. Filled with smart kids and an array of gadgets and cutting-edge devices, the school is the brainchild of a tech tycoon. But something's not right. Top students are disappearing only to return completely changed -- numb, even zombie-like. Velma and Daphne seem to be the only ones who notice. The scary events, along with some open communication, find the two girls reconciling and vowing to solve the mystery together ... and it's a mystery that involves ghosts, a secret passageway, some people who are not exactly what they seem, and even Daphne's clueless parents.
Is It Any Good?
The Two Sarahs (Jeffery and Gilman) as Daphne and Velma give it their all as their early friendship is introduced, but a routine story, cheesy effects, and subpar writing let them down. Daphne's character has had some updates from the version Scooby-Doo fans are used to, and the story isn't as goofy without Shaggy and Scooby's comic relief. As with many franchises, film companies and toy manufacturers are hoping to increase their fan base with as many platforms as possible. Thus Daphne & Velma is intended for fans of high school hijinks. Unless the minds behind the plan can come up with fresher material and richer leading characters that are truly inspired by their cartoon spirits, it's doubtful that this concept is going to work. It's OK, but the original Scooby tales are better.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the differences between the jeopardy in Daphne & Velma and the jeopardy in the animated Scooby adventures. If you think one is scarier than the other, why? At what age were you first comfortable with pretend violence on-screen?
In film or literary terms, what is an "origin" story? How does this movie fit the definition?
Many films about teens and kids, especially comic ones, portray adults as clueless or foolish. How does that storytelling technique change the usual real-life power structure between grown-ups and kids?
Which do you think would be easier to create: an animated film or a live-action film? What different techniques are needed for each of them?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 22, 2018
- Cast : Sarah Jeffery , Sarah Gilman , Brian Stepanex
- Director : Suzi Yoonessi
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Brothers
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School ) , Fantasy , Robots
- Run time : 72 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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