Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Big-screen teen sleuth is cute, if a bit bland.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Nancy Drew
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 16 parent reviews
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say the movie offers an entertaining blend of mystery and scares that many families enjoyed, with strong themes of bravery and intelligence portrayed through the main character. Some viewers found it a bit complicated or boring at times, and parents noted that while the movie is generally suitable for tweens and up, there are moments of violence and intensity that might be too much for younger kids.
- family-friendly
- mystery elements
- some violence
- suitable for tweens
- mixed reviews
- strong role model
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Nancy and her dad, Carson (Tate Donovan), leave their Midwestern hometown of River Heights for Los Angeles, where they stay in a mysterious mansion in which a beautiful Hollywood star named Dehlia Draycott (Laura Elena Harring) wound up dead. Nancy has promised her dad that, instead of sleuthing, she'll try to be "normal" -- if that's possible in 2007 for an 18-year-old who wears penny loafers and twin-sets to a Hollywood high school. But eventually she can't help herself, and she starts digging away at the circumstances surrounding Dehlia's death. With the aid of an obnoxious, adoring 12-year-old freshman named Corky (Josh Flitter), her low-tech detective kit, her signature blue roadster, and her cute-but-completely-uncharismatic (boy)friend Ned (Max Thieriot), Nancy has everything a girl needs to solve a 25-year-old mystery.
Is It Any Good?
Updated by director Andrew Fleming in the form of perky Emma Roberts, the likable Nancy Drew is equal parts goody-two-shoes and intuitive investigator. As the throwback "sleuth" (an anachronistic word in and of itself), Roberts is an excellent role model for obedience and good citizenship, but there's a certain oomph missing in this modernized take on the teen detective.
But the bigger puzzle is how Roberts -- who stars in her own Nickelodeon show, Unfabulous, and is Julia's niece -- doesn't make Nancy as vibrant and endearing as she was on the page. Sure, she's sweet, and she proves that girls don't need guys to save them from peril, but her adolescent Sherlock Holmes isn't engaging enough to merit another movie mystery.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes Nancy a good role model for tween and teen girls. How does she compare to other movie characters -- or real-life "role models" like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton?
Why did the other girls in the movie make fun of Nancy, and what made them change their mind?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 14, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : March 10, 2008
- Cast : Emma Roberts , Max Thieriot , Tate Donovan
- Director : Andrew Fleming
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild violence, thematic elements and brief language.
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate