Life is hard for 11-year-old Margaret Simon. The big-screen adaptation of Judy Blume’s infamous and beloved 1970 YA novel follows the trials and tribulations of being a preteen girl. From processing complicated family secrets to having first kisses to discovering how bad periods can really be, nothing is off limits in this charmingly frank movie about growing up.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. is directed by Kelly Fremon Craig and co-written with novelist Judy Blume. The film stars Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls), Benny Safdie (director and writer, Uncut Gems), and Kathy Bates (Misery).

When will Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. be released?

Stream it now.

Who’s in the cast of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.?

• Abby Ryder Fortson debuting as Margaret Simon
• Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes) as Barbara Simon
• Benny Safdie (Happy Gilmore 2) as Herb Simon
• Elle Graham debuting as Nancy Wheeler
• Kathy Bates (Disjointed) as Sylvia Simon

What happens in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.?

When 11-year-old Margaret Simon (Fortson) returns to her Brooklyn home after summer camp, the last thing she expects to hear from her parents, Herb (Safdie) and Barbara (McAdams), is that their family is moving to New Jersey. Margaret is distraught; the move separates her from her beloved grandmother Sylvia (Bates) and their exuberant Jewish community, while also forcing her to make completely new friends at a new school where the rules of being popular are more confusing than ever. 

As Margaret navigates the tricky social circle ruled by her new next-door neighbor and resident queen bee, Nancy Wheeler (Graham), an insightful teacher prompts her to ask her mother about her maternal grandparents. The conversation uncovers a painful family history for the Simons that they finally try to mend. But Margaret is soon torn every which way — between different cliques at school and, due to conflicting views about religion and identity, between different sides of her family. What’s a soon-to-be-12-year-old to do? Ask God if they’re listening, of course!

Is Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. based on a book?

Yes, the film is based on a Judy Blume novel of the same name. 

Is Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. based on a true story?

No, neither the film nor the novel is based on a true story. However, Judy Blume is frequently praised for her frank portrayal of the challenges of being a teenage girl. The novel has been frequently challenged at the American Library Association since its publication in 1970.

Where does Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. take place?

The movie takes place mainly in New Jersey.

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