Look, this isn't the Nancy Drew of your childhood. The CW took the iconic teen detective and gave her the Riverdale treatment: dark, moody, supernatural, and packed with relationship drama.
Is it terrible? No. The mystery-solving framework is solid, and Kennedy McMann does a decent job as Nancy. But is it great? Also no. The Metacritic score of 55 tells the story—it's aggressively mediocre, trying too hard to be edgy while relying on tired CW tropes.
For teens 14+ who are into supernatural mysteries and can handle some legitimately scary moments, it's watchable entertainment. But parents should know this is horror-adjacent content with murder investigations, sexual content, and intensity that goes way beyond the classic books. And honestly? Even from 2019, it already feels dated—that peak-CW aesthetic is showing its age.
If your teen is looking for a smart female detective, there are better options. But if they're specifically into the supernatural mystery vibe and you're okay with the mature content, it'll keep them entertained for a few episodes before the formula gets repetitive.



