The result is a film that speaks directly to the audience, especially to those who have experienced (or still experience) the discomfort of not knowing exactly where they fit in.
A Protagonist Built From Real Doubts
Margaret is not an idealized character. She has no answers, has no certainties, and, most importantly, does not follow a linear path.
Faith as a Starting Point — Not as an Answer
Daughter of a Jewish father and Christian mother, Margaret grows up in an environment where no religion is imposed. At first glance, this may seem like total freedom. But in practice, it generates a void: no one guides, no one directs, no one answers.
Faced with this, the protagonist makes a simple but powerful decision: she begins to talk to God in her own way. This narrative device is one of the film's greatest achievements, as it transforms spirituality into something intimate, human, and accessible.
The Weight of Deciding Too Soon
One of the most relevant points of the film is showing how, even without explicit pressure, Margaret feels the need to quickly choose who she is. This appears in different moments: at school, when trying to fit in; at home, when seeking answers from her parents; in religious experiences, when visiting different spaces.
The film highlights something very common in Brazil today: young people being pressured to define themselves before knowing themselves.
Growing Up: Family in Delicate Balance
Another central pillar of the narrative is family dynamics — and how it directly influences maturation.
Parents Who Avoid Imposing… But Also Don't Guide
Margaret's mother, played by Rachel McAdams, chooses not to influence her daughter religiously. Her father, played by Benny Safdie, also avoids any imposition. This posture creates a curious scenario: total freedom of choice, absence of reference, and growing insecurity. In practice, the film shows that freedom without guidance can generate confusion — especially in childhood.
The Grandmother as a Traditional Counterpoint
The presence of the grandmother, played by Kathy Bates, brings a more traditional perspective. She introduces Margaret to Judaism, offering rituals, explanations, and belonging. But this welcome also comes with expectations, creating another internal conflict in the protagonist.
School, Friendship, and Social Pressure
Beyond family, the school environment plays a fundamental role in Margaret's development.
The Desire to Belong
Upon arriving in a new city, the protagonist tries to avoid the label of "new girl." To do this, she observes behaviors, imitates attitudes, and tests different ways of acting. This construction is extremely realistic and speaks directly to the experience of Brazilian teenagers.
Body, Comparison, and Insecurity
The film also addresses, with sensitivity, themes such as puberty, comparison among friends, aesthetic pressure, and expectations about the body. Margaret wants to grow up fast — to develop breasts, menstruate, mature. This desire reveals anxiety common in adolescence: wanting to accelerate time.
Religion as a Tool for Self-Knowledge
One of the most interesting elements of the narrative is how religion stops being a destination and becomes a means of self-discovery and personal exploration.
