Netflix’s 95% RT Romance Show Is a Great Follow-Up to Rachel McAdams’ Underrated 2023 Comedy

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Netflix has just launched a highly-acclaimed romance series, boasting a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This new show is an excellent sequel to the fantastic 2023 adaptation of Rachel McAdams’ movie “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” Known for her enduring appeal among middle-grade and teenage audiences, Judy Blume is a renowned author who tackles genuine issues in her work, such as puberty, divorce, and sexual maturity. Remarkably, after 53 years, one of her most beloved books, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” has finally made its way to the big screen.

2023’s movie features debutante Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon, an 11-year-old girl transitioning from New York to New Jersey life. Beyond acclimating to her new surroundings, Margaret earnestly wishes for maturity and prays to God about it. Notably, two years following the critically acclaimed “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” Netflix has unveiled a compelling sequel film based on another Judy Blume novel.

Netflix’s Forever Is Another Judy Blume Adaptation About The Next Phase In Adolescence After Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

Forever And Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Both Focus On The Awkward And Fun Parts Of Adolescence

The storyline of both the book and film adaptation of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” revolves around a young girl dealing with the challenges of puberty, including menstruation, bras, and body changes. Given its focus on this stage of life, it’s suitable for kids aged 12 to 14 along with their parents. Following this, Netflix’s Forever offers an engaging continuation, exploring the trials of adolescence – first loves and sexual encounters. Similar to the upcoming 2023 movie, Forever is based on another controversial book by Judy Blume that has been frequently challenged or banned.

The narrative unfolds around characters named Keisha and Justin (originally Kathleen and Michael in the book), who rekindle their relationship at a New Year’s celebration. Initially, they experience some difficulties, but eventually develop feelings for each other that lead to an intimate moment. Although it may appeal to a slightly older audience, those who would have found solace in ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ during its release are now of an age where they might find ‘Forever’ relevant. ‘Forever’ is primarily aimed at teenagers aged 15 to 18, although its suitability may vary depending on the individual.

In the Netflix series, although there are scenes involving sexual content, it’s crucial to note that they are neither overly explicit nor sensationalized. Instead, the show mirrors the realistic approach of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” Forever offers valuable insights for older adolescents, as it tackles issues such as consent and safe sexual practices. Additionally, the series addresses contemporary concerns, like the potential long-term repercussions of sharing explicit content, such as sex tapes. While Forever is not a replacement for comprehensive sex education, it serves as an enriching addition to health classes and can be particularly beneficial for those who lack access to such resources.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret Is One Of Rachel McAdams’ Best Performances Of Her Career

Rachel McAdams Plays Barbara Simon In Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.

The remarkable acting in both “Forever” and “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is a notable strength throughout each film. While it’s too early to predict awards for “Forever,” the eligibility period for “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” has passed. Regrettably, Rachel McAdams was overlooked for an Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category despite her outstanding performance. In “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” McAdams portrays Barbara Simon, the mother of the main character, who is growing up.

Rachel McAdams seamlessly embodies the role, making it appear as if we’re watching a real-life mother interacting with her daughter rather than an actress portraying one. In the film, Barbara feels more like a person than a character, and McAdams shared with The Hollywood Reporter how she brought this authenticity to life. McAdams stated:

It proved somewhat tricky to strike the right balance in portraying her character: navigating her insecurities regarding her social standing, determining the fine line between humor and anxiety, and ensuring she appeared both down-to-earth yet maintained a playful aspect.

I’m grateful to Judy Blume, the author of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” for providing insightful play-length notes that helped me delve into the depths of Barbara’s character. Her analysis allowed me, as an actor, to truly grasp who Barbara is. This understanding was particularly evident in the poignant scene where I had to explain to my on-screen daughter why her grandparents, my parents, never met us, due to their disapproval of my marriage to a Jewish man.

In the film “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” Rachel McAdams delivers a remarkably subtle performance that perfectly suits the moment. When she cries in a particular scene, it seems like an authentic and sincere portrayal of emotion, deeply conveying Barbara’s suffering. McAdams shared her process for this scene, saying:

In the scene depicting the grandparents, there was no need for me to strive towards a specific outcome in my portrayal. This tragic scenario required minimal alteration as the raw emotion was already palpable. Truthfully, it was simply hanging in the atmosphere.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, starring Rachel McAdams, is undeniably one of her top films. What makes it exceptional is that she has minimal screen time compared to other roles where she plays the lead actor. In this movie, however, McAdams skillfully portrays a supporting character while simultaneously making her presence felt. The challenge lies in sharing the spotlight with Abby Ryder Fortson’s Margaret Simon, who is the main character of the story. Rachel McAdams manages to maintain a delicate balance between highlighting her own character and supporting Abby Ryder Fortson’s performance.

Why The Reviews For Netflix’s Forever Adaptation Are So Positive

Forever Maintains The Heart Of Judy Blume’s Book While Expanding The Themes

Regarding adaptations, it’s widely agreed that “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” stands out, despite its box office failure. The recently released Netflix series comes close to matching the 2023 film’s quality and even surpasses it significantly compared to the 1978 TV version of “Forever”. Both critics and viewers have appreciated Netflix’s “Forever” for its authentic portrayal of love, sex, and teenage relationships in today’s social media-driven society.

Rotten Tomatoes Scores* For Major Judy Blume Adaptations
Title Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tiger Eyes 63% 53%
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. 99% 94%
Forever 95% 93%
*Rotten Tomatoes scores as of 5/12/2025

Despite some potential backlash from altering aspects of Judy Blume’s “Forever,” the Netflix series is generally acclaimed for its exploration of social classes and racial issues, which were not significant in the original narrative. Rarely do TV shows present a heartfelt and uplifting Black love story without the typical tragic ending. Moreover, the show excels in its portrayal of compelling characters and exceptional acting performances.

Lovie Simone’s affection for Judy Blume’s book is evident in her role as Keisha Clark, while Michael Cooper Jr. delivers an equally compelling performance as Justin Edwards. Viewers are already clamoring for a second season due to their attachment to both characters. Fortunately, the finale of Netflix’s Forever leaves room for hope that the couple may reconnect again. Creator Akil has shown interest in producing another season after witnessing the enthusiastic fan response. Here’s hoping Netflix recognizes the potential for more stories about Keisha and Justin within Forever.

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2025-05-13 08:37