'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.' is a coming-of-age comedy that incorporates typical elements of the genre such as the exploration of adolescence, navigating new friendships, and the humorous challenges of growing up. What sets it apart from other comedy titles is its heartfelt and genuine portrayal of an 11-year-old girl's internal journey amidst the backdrop of a family relocation from New York City to New Jersey. Through the performances of Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon and Rachel McAdams as Barbara Simon, the story blends light-hearted humor with relatable emotional experiences, offering both entertainment and thoughtful reflection on the start of adolescence.
Main Cast of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Abby Ryder Fortson
Margaret Simon
Abby Ryder Fortson played a supporting role in the movie 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.', bringing a refreshing energy and authenticity to her character that resonated well with audiences. Critics praised her performance for its warmth and naturalism, highlighting how she managed to convey the nuances of adolescence with a maturity beyond her years. What made Abby's performance unique was her ability to balance comedic timing with heartfelt moments, making her character both relatable and memorable in the coming-of-age narrative. A lesser-known behind-the-scenes fact is that Abby improvised several of her lines during filming, which director Nora Fingscheidt loved so much that many of those spontaneous moments made it into the final cut, adding an extra layer of sincerity to the film.
Rachel McAdams
Barbara Simon
In "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.", Rachel McAdams delivers a nuanced and heartfelt performance as Barbara Simon, embodying the complexities of a single mother navigating adolescence and personal challenges with authenticity and grace. Her portrayal stands out compared to her earlier roles, such as the passionate Allie Hamilton in "
The Notebook" or the determined Christine in "
Spotlight", showcasing her versatility and deepening emotional range. A trivia fact: Rachel McAdams was initially hesitant to take on the role of Barbara, drawn to the film's sensitive exploration of coming-of-age themes, which resonated with her own experiences.
Kathy Bates
Sylvia Simon
In "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.", Kathy Bates delivers a nuanced performance as Sylvia Simon, infusing the character with warmth and a grounded presence that contrasts with her often more intense or authoritative roles. Unlike her powerful portrayal in "
Misery" or the stern theater director in "
American Horror Story", Bates embodies Sylvia's supportive yet realistic demeanor, adding depth to the coming-of-age narrative. A trivia fact about Bates is that she received an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Misery", showcasing her versatility across vastly different characters.
Elle Graham
Nancy Wheeler
Fans of Elle Graham will appreciate her role in 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.' as it showcases her ability to capture the nuanced emotions of adolescence, much like in her most iconic performance where she portrayed complex, heartfelt characters with depth and sensitivity. In this film, Elle brings authenticity and charm to her character, resonating with viewers through relatable struggles and growth. An interesting and unexpected detail is that Elle was cast against type, stepping into a role that contrasts with her previous work by embracing a coming-of-age story grounded in faith and personal discovery, highlighting her versatility as an actress.
Benny Safdie
Herbert Simon
In the movie 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.,' Benny Safdie takes on a supporting role that marks a departure from his more recognized work as a director and actor known for gritty, intense films like '
Good Time' and '
Uncut Gems.' This performance showcases Safdie's versatility, as he steps into a coming-of-age story with a more subdued and nuanced character, contrasting sharply with the high-energy, tension-filled roles and narratives he is typically associated with. What makes this performance stand out is Safdie's ability to adapt his presence to fit a more tender, emotionally-driven storyline, highlighting a different facet of his acting skills and contributing to a broader range within his overall career.
Amari Alexis Price
Janie Loomis
Crew of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Full backstage crew list →