The result is a briskly paced movie that underscores the importance of listening patiently, thinking creatively, and acting decisively, and that will inspire an affection for Nancy in another generation. Nancy Drew was a heroine for generations of women, and she’s introduced to new viewers quite charmingly in “Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase.” Set in present day, the film’s characterization keeps Nancy’s resourcefulness, ingenuity, and loyalty, and adapts those qualities to a world in which cyber-bullying and class resentments define the adolescent experience. The scariest scenes are in an allegedly haunted house where a pig-faced ghost attacks three women the scene is spooky, with jump scares and inexplicable occurrences, but everything is later explained logically. Aside from the cyber-bullying, teens date and one partner cheats on the other adults drink there is some implied but not expressed cursing and adults intimidate teens in a few scenes, including twice with a gun. Although Nancy gets into trouble, including being arrested for pulling a vengeful prank, she is motivated by justice and the movie makes clear that she needs to be better at following the rules.
This new spin on the recognizable Nancy Drew character places her in high school, where her friends are the victims of cyber-bullying and where Nancy herself is threatened by adults. ‘Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase’ revitalizes the resourceful young woman beloved by prior generations.Īge Appropriate For: 12+.