The "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" Trailer Brings Judy Blume's Beloved Book to Life

Updated on 1/12/2023 at 12:25 PM

Judy Blume's beloved book "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" is finally becoming a movie, and we have our first look at the cast in action. The celebrated coming-of-age novel, which was released in 1970, serves as the foundation for Lionsgate's heartwarming film, which introduces newcomer Abby Ryder Fortson as the titular Margaret in its trailer, released on Jan. 12. In it, we see the 11-year-old grapple with the woes of teenagehood in a story that still resonates over 50 years later.

"The book is obviously about a young girl who is becoming a young woman and she's embracing her womanhood," Kathy Bates, who plays Margaret's grandma Sylvia, told People. "And I think women throughout history have been taught to feel negatively about their bodies and about the processes that their bodies go through. I think this film will help young women feel better about their bodies."

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" was adapted and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, who also wrote and directed "The Edge of Seventeen," and is led by Bates and Rachel McAdams, who stars as the young protagonist's mother, Barbara. Author Blume has been a part of the film's process from the very beginning, selling the rights specifically to Fremon Craig and producer James L. Brooks. McAdams told People that Blume was very involved on set and that she was honored to have the author there.

"Watching her watch her book come to life and to be a part of that was just so surreal," McAdams revealed. "She's the loveliest lady and I felt very honored to be part of this for that reason. That she waited so, so long to do this until she felt really good about giving it over. I just wanted to do right by her and give her the best Barb I could."

Ahead, check out the film's trailer and learn more about the cast, plot, and release date.

"Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret" Trailer

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" Cast

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" stars Fortson as the titular 11-year-old, Margaret; Bates as her paternal grandmother, Sylvia; and McAdams as her mother, Barbara. Benny Safdie and Elle Graham also star as Margaret's father Herb and her friend Nancy, respectively, while Gary Houston and Mia Dillon play her maternal grandparents, Paul and Mary Hutchins.

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" Plot

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" will follow the plot of the beloved Blume book, telling the story of 11-year-old Margaret Simon, who has a Christian mother and a Jewish father, but no particular religion of her own. Upon its release in 1970, the book became a classic for its honest and heartwarming portrayal of Margaret's curiosity about spirituality, puberty, family, and growing up.

One difference between the book and movie, though, is while the novel was set in the '70s, the movie will be less rooted in a time period. "While certain details have changed over the years, the experience of growing up is really universal," Fremon Craig told Entertainment Weekly. "It's the same across the decades. There's something about an 11-year-old or 12-year-old girl today, watching a girl in 1970 go through the exact same experience that she's going through today. It feels so comforting to know that you're part of a long lineage. It takes that 'you're not alone' feeling and multiplies it exponentially. Because everyone every year before you has gone through this, and [they will] every year after."

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" Release Date

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" will release exclusively in theaters on April 28.