Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Year: 2023

Runtime: 106

Language: English

Director: Kelly Fremon Craig

DramaComedy

Margaret, a young girl living in suburban New Jersey in the 1970s, grapples with the complexities of growing up. She seeks guidance from her unconventional grandmother and her mother as she experiences the changes and uncertainties of adolescence. Dealing with family relationships and the pressure to fit in, Margaret embarks on a journey of self-discovery and searches for answers to life's big questions.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (2023) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (2023), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In 1970, eleven-year-old Margaret Simon faces the emotional turmoil of relocating from the bustling streets of New York City to a quieter suburb in New Jersey after her father, Herb, receives a promotion. Leaving behind her friends and her beloved grandmother, Sylvia Simon, leaves Margaret feeling anxious and disconnected. In her quest for understanding and comfort, she begins a heartfelt dialogue with God about her worries and aspirations.

Upon settling in her new home, Margaret quickly bonds with her neighbor and future classmate, Nancy Wheeler](/actor/elle-graham), who introduces her to a tight-knit group of friends, including Gretchen Potter and Janie Loomis. As they navigate the complex world of adolescence, Margaret’s teacher, Mr. Benedict, assigns the class a year-long research project that compels Margaret to confront her unique religious identity. With one parent rooted in Christianity and the other in Judaism, she struggles to find where she fits in the fabric of her family’s beliefs.

As her curiosity deepens, Margaret inquires about her maternal grandparents, whose absence turns out to be a point of contention for her mother, Barbara Simon. The estrangement stems from a lifetime of differences that culminated in their disownment of Barbara upon her marriage to a Jewish man. Despite the family tension, Sylvia readily takes Margaret to temple, trying to bridge the gap between generations.

Margaret’s experiences with her friends lead her to embrace the significant markers of puberty, such as her first kiss during a birthday party game of spin the bottle and the anticipation of receiving her first period. Yet, the pressure mounts as she waits impatiently while her friends, including Gretchen and Nancy, begin to experience these milestones first.

In a pivotal moment, Margaret learns about honesty and the consequences of deceit when she discovers that Nancy wasn’t truthful about her own period. Meanwhile, she grapples with her feelings towards classmate Laura Danker, who faces isolation for her height and development. An encounter in the library prompts Margaret to reflect on her own choices and the nature of true friendship.

The tension escalates when Margaret plans to visit Sylvia during spring break but is interrupted by a surprise visit from her maternal grandparents. The evening leads to a heated discussion about religion and choice, culminating in Margaret’s outburst declaring her indifference to faith and God.

As she submits her research paper to Mr. Benedict, filled with her disillusionments, Margaret begins to mend relationships with her family and recognizes the support that surrounds her. By the school year’s end, she not only extends a hand towards Laura but also gains gratitude from Mr. Benedict for guiding her through this tumultuous cycle of growth.

With summer camp on the horizon, Margaret shares a moment with Moose, a neighborhood boy she has developed a crush on, symbolizing a hopeful new beginning. Upon returning home, she joyously discovers she has finally gotten her first period and resumes her conversations with God, embracing the journey ahead with newfound confidence.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 23:34

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?

Still wondering what the ending of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (2023) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

At the end of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” Margaret’s journey of self-discovery reaches a poignant moment. After a series of misunderstandings and emotional conflicts—particularly involving her grandparents’ visit and the religious disagreements that follow—Margaret realizes that her beliefs don’t have to fit into anyone else’s expectations. When her grandparents reveal they want her to attend Sunday school and question her about her faith, Margaret boldly declares that she doesn’t believe in God at all, expressing her frustration with how religion has caused so much pain and fighting in her life. This act of honesty is a turning point for her; it signifies her taking control of her own beliefs and understanding that her spirituality is personal and up to her. Through this, she gains a deeper insight into herself, ending the film with her feeling empowered and connected to her own sense of faith. She understands that she can find comfort, meaning, and even a sense of divine presence within herself, rather than relying on external institutions or rituals.

As the story concludes, Margaret’s acceptance of her feelings about God coincides with her experiencing her first period—a milestone she had been anxiously awaiting. This rite of passage symbolizes her growth and her becoming more comfortable in her body and identity. The film closes with Margaret expressing gratitude for both the good and the bad in her life, confirming that her relationship with faith is now personal and uniquely her own. It’s a hopeful ending that celebrates individuality, self-acceptance, and the idea that finding “God” or a sense of meaning comes from within, not from tradition or external approval. Through her journey, Margaret learns that she doesn’t need to conform to anyone’s expectations to feel whole—she just needs to believe in herself.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59

Unlock the Full Story of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Don't stop at just watching — explore Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Timeline

Track the full timeline of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Ending Explained

More About Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Similar Movies to Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Discover movies like Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.