"Margo's Got Money Troubles" - Review

Margo’s Got Money Troubles is an endearing portrayal of self-discovery, love, and family set against the pressures of modern capitalism, and of what it means to do what you have to do to survive and find your place in this world.

Written by Mariane Tremblay

Based on Rufi Thorpe’s 2024 novel of the same name, Margo’s Got Money Troubles follows Margo Millet (Elle Fanning), a literature student at Fullerton College. When her affair with her teacher leads to pregnancy, Margo finds herself at a crossroads. She’s living with three roommates in an apartment, working nights in a restaurant, and she still doesn’t have her degree. Choosing to keep this baby would not only mean abandoning her studies but also raising her child as a single mom and trying to provide for both of them. 

After losing her job, due to a lack of childcare solutions, she finds herself caught in a vicious circle: no job, no money, no childcare, no childcare, no job, no money. With only a few options left, Margo turns to OnlyFans to make ends meet. In the process, she reconnects with her estranged father, Jinx (Nick Offerman), a former pro wrestler, who offers her a very unconventional form of guidance shaped by his past life in the ring. As Margo finds unexpected success on the platform, she begins collaborating with two local creators (Rico Nasty, in her acting debut, and Lindsey Normington) and creates their very own world. 

I haven’t read Thorpe’s novel, so I have no particular attachment to the source material, and I must admit that I was skeptical when the series was announced, since it was described essentially as the story of a young woman struggling after becoming pregnant and joining OnlyFans, which could easily have fallen into major clichés. But I was still curious to watch it because it was created by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing), and because of its cast. I’d watch anything with Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nicole Kidman. To my surprise, I watched the 8 episodes in one sitting, because I couldn’t get enough of the story and the characters. And needless to say, every episode's ending made me want to know immediately what was coming next. 

One thing is sure: Thorpe’s novel is next on my list of books to read, and I will definitely be exploring more of her work (The Knockout Queen, The Girls from Corona del Mar, Dear Fang, With Love) afterwards, because I just loved this story. 

As a series, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is one of the best I’ve seen recently, and I genuinely loved everything about it. It is an unhinged, but somehow realistic depiction of a loving, but dysfunctional family, and a young woman struggling with motherhood and providing for herself and her child. 

I particularly loved how real the series and the story feel. It’s messy at times, but that messiness mirrors real life—especially what a 20-year-old might go through after getting pregnant. From Margo icing her crotch after giving birth to putting cabbage on her breasts to deal with mastitis, the series doesn’t shy away from the physical realities of postpartum life. It also captures how difficult breastfeeding can be, the exhaustion of a baby crying nonstop through colics, and the overwhelming challenges of being a single mother, juggling childcare, work, and the constant financial pressure. More than anything, it portrays the emotional toll: the struggle to adjust to a completely new life, the mood swings, and the persistent feeling of not doing enough.

Throughout its 8 episodes, the series tackles heavy subjects, such as drug addiction, sex work, and more. But comedy and drama are blended so seamlessly that the story feels lighter and still easy to watch for audiences. 

But despite its comedic elements, these subjects are handled with care and respect rather than satire, which I really appreciated. Sex workers are portrayed simply as workers, much like in any other profession, and the series thoughtfully explores the reality of their process. It becomes clear that, for some, it goes far beyond nudity or sexuality—it can also be a form of expression, even art. At times, it is portrayed as something genuinely beautiful and compelling. Ultimately, the series makes a strong case for nuance, suggesting that there is nothing inherently wrong with sex work, as long as it is chosen freely and done safely.

The series also makes audiences reflect on how easy it is to judge people without understanding who they are, where they come from, or what led them to make certain choices. Our society is full of misconceptions, and I believe OnlyFans is one of them. In reality, the platform allows for a wide range of content and is not necessarily synonymous with pornography—it can be suggestive rather than explicit, and, at times, highly creative. It has also been argued that OnlyFans can be a safer and more empowering space for sex workers, offering a direct, highly profitable, and relatively secure way to monetise content. Creators retain full control over their work and operate independently, without intermediaries taking a large share of their earnings. While the platform has been demonised for years, the series suggests it is time to move beyond these judgements and allow people to make their own choices. After all, there is nothing wrong with doing what is necessary to support yourself and your child.

What makes Margo’s Got Money Troubles even more compelling to watch is its cast. Fanning is perfect as Margo. And it may sound a bit cliché, but I can’t picture anyone else portraying this character the way she does, with her fearless honesty and lack of inhibition. Offerman gives one of his best performances, if not the best. It’s full of vulnerability, and the contrast between him as a wrestler and how he reconnects with his daughter and how he takes care of Margo’s son, Bodhi, is very endearing. He brought me to tears a couple of times. 

Pfeiffer also delivers an incredible performance, as expected, playing a former Hooters waitress now working at Bloomingdale’s. Her character exists in this fascinating in-between, both flashy and polished. With her blonde curly hair, French tips, and distinctly early-2000s aesthetic, she feels like she’s stepped straight out of another era. But she never falls into cliché. Kidman is great as usual; despite her limited screentime, she owns every minute of it. And her character is very unconventional, but it’s what makes it even more interesting. But it’s the ensemble that ultimately makes it work. From Fanning, Pfeiffer, Offerman, and Kidman to Greg Kinnear, Rico Nasty, Normington, Marcia Gay Harden, and Michael Angarano—everyone is perfectly cast and brings exactly what they need to make their characters both endearing and despisable (at times). 

Ultimately, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is an endearing portrayal of self-discovery, love, and family set against the pressures of modern capitalism, and of what it means to do what you have to do to survive and find your place in this world.

The first three episodes of Margo’s Got Money Troubles are now streaming on Apple TV+, and more episodes will be released weekly, with the finale being released on May 20. 

PS: You shouldn't skip the opening credits, they're everything!

Photos courtesy of Apple TV+