--- title: "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret" critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 78 from 12 reviews: 10 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews for Kelly Fremon Craig’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel are warm and closely bunched, with most critics landing on four stars or thereabouts and none turning against it. The praise gathers around Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret, whose performance is described again and again as open-hearted, expressive and raw, and around Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates as the mother and grandmother. Critics also credit the film with treating puberty and religious doubt frankly and without condescension, and several say it feels as relevant now as the 1970 book did. The reservations come from a small minority and are about caution rather than craft. Variety finds the film sanitised beside Blume’s candid original, turning Margaret into a role model rather than a flawed twelve-year-old, and Vulture thinks the parents’ stories are more compelling than the daughter’s. The Guardian, more mildly, calls it sweet-natured but a little dated and inconsequential. ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 April 2023. The critic calls the film as lovely, heartfelt, and radical as the original novel, crediting director Kelly Fremon Craig for capturing the nuances of adolescence, family, religion, and sexuality. It singles out the lived-in performances and the story’s enduring relevance amid contemporary debates over bodily autonomy. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-04-26/movie-review-are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-judy-blume) ## The AV Club — Leigh Monson Rating B+. 26 April 2023. The review calls it a charming, funny, and heartfelt adaptation that captures the essence of the novel with excellent performances, especially from the young lead and supporting cast. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/are-you-there-god-it-s-me-margaret-movie-review-1850327066) ## Little White Lies — Weiting Liu Rating 4/4/4. 17 May 2023. Craig delivers a sweet, humane take on the classic novel that expands the source while staying true to its themes of identity and belonging. The intergenerational bonds among Margaret, her mother and grandmother stand out for their warmth and insight. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret) ## Radio Times — Emma Simmonds Rating 4/5. Blume’s novel is adapted with affection and wit into a big, warm hug of a film that feels relevant despite its 1970s setting. The performances, particularly the young lead and supporting turns from McAdams and Bates, are singled out for bringing kindness and understanding to the story. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-qhcv2g/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Lovia Gyarkye Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 April 2023. The critic praises the charming, heartwarming adaptation as a respectful love letter to fans of the book, highlighting the strong cast and emotional depth in portraying puberty and family life. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review-rachel-mcadams-judy-blume-1235392350/) ## The Telegraph — Ed Power Rating 4/5. 18 May 2023. This affectionate adaptation is a delightful, sweet coming-of-age story and valentine to innocent 1970s adolescence that modern teens will never experience, with strong performances and Seventies nostalgia. It has an inevitably sad edge but avoids being cloying. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 17 May 2023. The film is a life-enhancing, candid coming-of-age delight that captures the joys and pains of growing up with heart and humour. It singles out the strong performances, especially Rachel McAdams as Margaret’s mother, for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-2023) ## Slant Magazine — Eric Henderson Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 27 April 2023. The critic describes the film as an affectionate, minor-key triumph and a heartening adaptation that feels like a rare mass entertainment, praising its generous spirit and strong performances. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2023. The critic finds the film sweet but overly cautious and mild-mannered, noting that the parents' stories are more compelling than Margaret's, and it lacks the boldness of the source material. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/judy-blumes-classic-book-is-now-a-totally-fine-movie.html) ## Variety — Amy Nicholson Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 20 April 2023. The review finds the adaptation appealing but overly sanitized and edgeless compared to the candid book, turning Margaret into an idealized role model rather than a flawed preteen. It praises the friendship scenes and some authentic details but criticizes added subplots and a lack of the novel’s honest edge. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review-1235588335/) ## Empire — Beth Webb 19 May 2023. Kelly Fremon Craig delivers a touching and tender adaptation that does justice to the beloved source material. Webb highlights the raw, expressive central performance by Abby Ryder Fortson and the film's blend of humour, vitality and empathy in exploring family and growing-up issues. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan 17 May 2023. The film is a lovely, faithful adaptation of the book that handles its themes of puberty and religion deftly and without condescension. O'Sullivan praises the perfect casting, especially Abby Ryder Fortson as the impatient heroine Margaret and the warm performances from the adult cast. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-movie-review-rachel-mcadams-judy-blume-b1075598.html) ## Screen Daily 20 April 2023. Festival review. The coming-of-age tale is rendered with humour, sensitivity and intelligence as a marvellous look at adolescence. It singles out the terrific cast, led by Abby Ryder Fortson’s openhearted portrayal of Margaret, for bringing bracing realism to the material. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review/5181084.article) ## Sight and Sound 16 May 2023. The film is a witty and sensitive adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel about an 11-year-old navigating puberty and religion. Craig’s direction matches Blume’s empathy while drawing parallels between the rules of faith and womanhood. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-offers-witty-adaptation-judy-blumes-beloved-teen-novel) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw 17 May 2023. The film is a sweet-natured, undemanding adaptation of the 1970 novel set in that era, focusing on a smart 12-year-old dealing with puberty, family moves, and religious questions. It is engaging but feels a little dated and inconsequential, with strong performances but no dramatic divine revelation. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/may/17/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review-judy-blumes-classic-pre-teen-tale-retold) ## The i Paper — Francesca Steele 18 May 2023. The warm and wonderful film is worth the 53-year wait and feels just as relevant today as the book. Steele singles out the compassionate, non-judgmental portrayal of adolescent girls' experiences and the strong ensemble performances, particularly from the young lead. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review-judy-blume-worth-wait-2344599) ## The New York Times — Lisa Kennedy Rating NYT Critic’s Pick. 27 April 2023. The critic praises the pitch-perfect adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel about a girl navigating puberty, family moves, and questions of faith. It highlights the strong cast, especially young lead Abby Ryder Fortson, and the film’s tender, thoughtful handling of its material. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/27/movies/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review.html) ## Total Film — Kim Taylor-Foster 25 April 2023. The film is a welcome nostalgic throwback to simpler times that captures the innocent rites of passage of pre-teen girls with sincerity. Taylor-Foster praises the endearing lead performance and the quietly feminist tone that serves as an antidote to noisier contemporary films. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review/) ## /Film — Josh Spiegel Rating 9.5/10. 20 April 2023. The critic hails it as the first great film of 2023, praising its tender, intelligent adaptation that treats characters with care and captures the relatability of puberty, family, and religion. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1256666/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review-great-film/) ## Collider — Carly Lane Rating A-. 27 April 2023. The critic praises the loving adaptation that captures the essence of the book, singling out the performances especially Abby Ryder Fortson's portrayal of Margaret. [Read the review](https://collider.com/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-movie-review/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond 20 April 2023. The critic calls the film a perfect adaptation of the beloved book and a rip-roaring, funny, human studio comedy. He singles out the ideal casting, particularly Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret, for bringing the story to life with heart and humor. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/04/are-you-there-god-its-memargaret-review-judy-blumes-classic-book-noq-movie-1235332190/) ## Paste — Aurora Amidon Rating 8.4. 27 April 2023. The film delivers nearly flawlessly on the coming-of-age story, with praise for the lead performance and balance of tone. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/judy-blume/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review) ## The Wrap 20 April 2023. The critic finds the film a heartfelt, compassionate, funny and frank adaptation that wears its nostalgic heart on its sleeve. She singles out newcomer Abby Ryder Fortson’s perfect performance as Margaret and the strong ensemble of young girls for making the coming-of-age story feel authentic and relatable. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret.md