Netflix recently released a romance show with a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score which serves as a great follow-up to an incredible 2023 Rachel McAdams movie, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Judy Blume is, without a doubt, one of the most popular writers who caters to middle-grade and teenage girls. Although some of them came out five decades ago, her books have a perennial quality because they explore very real topics like menstruation, divorce, and sexual development. Luckily, one of her most popular books, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, became a big screen film after 53 years.

The 2023 film stars newcomer Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon, a preteen girl who has to cope with a move from New York to New Jersey. In addition to adapting to the new environment, Margaret pleads with God that she will become a woman already. Two years after the release of the amazingly reviewed Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., Netflix has released a great follow-up to the film based on a different Judy Blume book.

Netflix’s Forever Is Another Judy Blume Adaptation About The Next Phase In Adolescence After Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

Forever And Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Both Focus On The Awkward And Fun Parts Of Adolescence

Elizabeth Morris/Netflix Elizabeth Morris/Netflix

The coming-of-age book and film version of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. focus on a pre-teen girl navigating menstruation, bras, and her changing body. Because the story centers on puberty, it’s great for children ages 12 to 14 and their parents. Netflix’s Forever is a great follow-up to Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., focusing on the next face in adolescence – first loves and sexual experiences. Like the 2023 movie, Forever is an adaptation of a controversial and often banned Judy Blume book.

The pre-teens who would have benefitted from Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, at the time of its release, are now at an age where they might benefit from Forever.

The story follows teens named Keisha and Justin (named Kathleen and Michael in the novel) who reconnect at a New Year’s party. Despite a rocky start, the duo fall in love and decide to have sex. While they might have a slightly different target audience, the pre-teens who would have benefitted from Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., at the time of its release, are now at an age where they might benefit from Forever. Forever caters to teenagers around 15 to 18, even though it’s labeled TV-MA, although the appropriateness will depend on the specific individual.

While the Netflix show does include sex scenes, it’s important to know that they are not overly salacious or exploitative. Instead, Forever takes the same approach as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., grounding the story in reality. Forever has educational value for older teens, as it models topics like consent and safe sex. The show also adds modernization, like the topic of the long-term problems sex tapes can cause. Though Forever is not a substitute for comprehensive sex education, it’s an excellent supplement to health classes, and it can help those without access to sex ed.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret Is One Of Rachel McAdams’ Best Performances Of Her Career

Rachel McAdams Plays Barbara Simon In Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.

The incredible acting is a consistent strength through both Forever and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Forever is too new to know whether it will be considered for awards, but the event season for the Judy Blume movie has long passed. Unfortunately, the Oscars snubbed Rachel McAdams, who deserved a nomination for Best Supporting Actress but went unrecognized despite her incredible performance. In Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., McAdams plays Barbara Simon, the mother of the titular pre-teen main character.