As Rachel McAdams returns to movie screens with Sam Raimy’s horror film Send Help, we thought it a good time to look back at one of her most beloved performances to date. In 2023, Kelly Freeman Craig adapted a book beloved by (and controversial for) generations: Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. With Abby Ryder Fortson as the titular Margaret and McAdams as her doting mother, the film is the story of a young woman’s coming of age, including puberty, social dynamics, and religious questioning.

This episode, we talk about McAdams’ subtle and powerful performance and the film’s struggle at the box office. We also discuss Kathy Bates as a Jewish grandmother, the film’s talented young performers, and Fremon Craig’s debut film The Edge of Seventeen.

Topics also include book fairs, our past YA reading favs, and Benny Sadie as father.