Netflix quietly adds ‘underrated’ 2023 film with 99% on Rotten Tomatoes-Robert Oliver-Entertainment – Metro

One of 2023’s best films has come to Netflix for Christmas (Picture: Dana Hawley/Lionsgate)

Netflix has a habit of sneakily adding great films without telling anyone – and the streaming giant has done it against just before Christmas.

With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 99% (8.4 out of 10), Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret was one of the best rated family movies of 2023.

Set in the early 1970s, the story follows 11-year-old Margaret Simon as she deals with major changes in her family life and personal circumstances.

The story picks up as Margaret’s family move from New York City to a New Jersey suburb, with Margaret learning a lot about family, friendship, and herself along the way.

Starring Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates, the film won numerous awards and proved popular with audiences who went to see it.

However, despite being beloved by those who caught it, the film was sadly underrated at the box office, only making back two thirds of its $30m (£24m) budget.

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret was loved by critics… (Picture: Dana Hawley/Lionsgate)

The coming-of-age film was based on the 1970 book of the same name, written by Judy Blume, with Abby Ryder Fortson in the titular role.

Over 50 years, the book was beloved by several generations but was partially censored by some schools in America for its frank discussions of sex, menstruation, and LGBT themes.

Children had to have written consent from their parents in order to check the book out of school libraries – Judy, now 86, said she never wanted the book to be controversial.

… But the film underperformed at the box office (Picture: Dana Hawley/Lionsgate)

While Are You There, God? didn’t perform too well at the worldwide box office, fans are still excited to be able to access it on streaming services.

@Jessica_M1997 said, ‘This is one of those rare examples where the film is better than the book,’ celebrating the adaptation, directed by Kelly Fremon Craig.

Reviewing the film for Metro, film critic Larushka Ivan-Zadeh praised the film for its nostalgic storytelling and for ‘striking a universal chord’.

‘This is a lovely film about the trepidation of growing up and moving on – whatever your age, it strikes a universal chord. This is the ideal movie for nostalgic mothers to bring their daughters to.’

The film is based on the Judy Blume book of the same name (Picture: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

A perfect feel-good film for all the family (Picture: Dana Hawley/Lionsgate)

Larushka added: ‘Generous, humane and perfectly modulated, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret is the perfect balance of humour and heart.’

The film was given a PG certificate by the British Board of Film Classification, which said it contained ‘Frank and relatable discussion of early-adolescent anxieties such as menstruation, bras, and boys, is accompanied by humour and is gentle in tone.’

Kelly started work on the film shortly after directing and writing The Edge of Seventeen, which was released in 2016 and starred Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson.

While that film only made $19m (£15m), its budget was only $9m (£7m) and it became a cult hit with teenagers after being released on home media and streaming services.

Watch Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret on Netflix.

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