In the episode, Sam and Dean investigate a family who has been living "off the grid" and is trying to hide a secret surrounding their young daughter, who may have powers.
Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) talk to her coworker Beth (Aliza Vellani) at Child Protective Services, a Wiccan who is promoted with Olivia dead.
The two victims are connected to a deeply religious husband, wife and son who live off grid while their daughter Magda (Paloma Kwiatkowski) died of pneumonia.
However, at a rest stop, Magda is killed by Mr. Ketch of the British Men of Letters to clean up the Winchester's mess.
Sean McKenna from TV Fanatic, gave a 4.4 star rating out of 5, stating: "So, while I enjoyed 'American Nightmare' overall, it would have been a far better ending to close with Sam and Dean wrapping up their latest case and driving the Impala off down the road.
"[3] Bridget LaMonica from Den of Geek wrote: "The climax is the most intense dinner scene in which I was definitely shouting at the TV.