‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ Review: Elle Fanning’s Dysfunctional Apple TV Miniseries Is a Must-Watch

After becoming obsessed with Big Little Lies like the rest of the world and being one of the few critics to enjoy Nine Perfect Strangers (yes, even Season 2), I’ve learned I should pay attention when a collaboration between Nicole Kidman and David E. Kelley gets announced. After Margo’s Got Money Troubles got a straight-to-series order from Apple TV in February 2024, I promptly ordered the book the show was adapting, and it easily became one of my favorite reads of that year. Despite my excitement about the show finally premiering, I couldn’t be anything but cautiously optimistic, as I’m often the person who says, “The book was better.” I’m thrilled and relieved to be singing a different tune with this series — the show is just as good.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles stays close to the book’s beats, but it doesn’t get bogged down by trying to remain a faithful adaptation. Even the small tweaks are for the better, either smartly expanding the world or focusing the story’s themes. Most importantly, the show captures the book’s unique, spunky spirit, deftly translating its deceptively simple (but truthfully rather complex) tone and making me fall in love with the endearingly dysfunctional family at its heart all over again.

What Is ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ About?

Margo’s Got Money Troubles all starts when Margo Millet (Elle Fanning), a talented writing student, gets pregnant after an affair with her college professor, Mark (Michael Angarano), much to her mother Shyanne’s (Michelle Pfeiffer) dismay. Shyanne, a single mom and former Hooters waitress herself, always wanted bigger things for Margo, but she’s also dating a religious man named Kenny (Greg Kinnear), whom she wants to keep up a more wholesome image for.

The arrival of Margo’s son Bodhi, however, helps her rekindle her relationship with her father, a former pro wrestler named Jinx (Nick Offerman). Alongside Margo’s roommate, a cosplayer named Susie (Thaddea Graham), Jinx unexpectedly helps Margo take care of Bodhi, but Margo still struggles to make ends meet. Though she initially creates an OnlyFans account out of desperation, she quickly discovers the platform can be a creative method of artistic expression — one far more lucrative than more traditional jobs.

‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ Is Rooted in Authenticity

Image via AppleTV

Many shows strive to capture a quirky, eccentric vibe but end up ringing false, more cringey than anything else. Margo’s Got Money Troubles, however, somehow feels natural and grounded even when its characters are going viral for alien TikTok dances or getting married by Elvis impersonators. The series has such a firm, confident handle on the idea that we are all performing all the time, yet the masks we wear are a reflection of something deep and real. The show allows the audience to peek beyond the characters’ facades to their raw, vulnerable underbellies. Because of this, empathy comes easily, even for more outlandish figures.

Media often falls into the pitfalls of inaccurately writing Gen Z characters or tackling themes of sex work and power imbalances without any nuance, but Margo’s Got Money Troubles excels at both. The show is refreshing and relevant without treading into preachy territory, engaging with its tricky subject matter in an organic way. It manages to say a lot by investing in its characters, not by serving up a ton of overwritten, overt commentary. That Margo feels sexy and intrigued by her body after giving birth, for example, subverts expectations and opens up a compelling conversation about empowerment — one handled with appropriate complexity and care without sacrificing levity. Although the show is full of sharp comedy, it’s masterful at building conflict and tension as well, particularly toward the end of the season.

‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ Features Pitch-Perfect Performances

Image via Apple TV

Womanhood is front and center in Margo’s Got Money Troubles, highlighting both Margo and Shyanne as individuals as well as their dynamic. The result is a rich, captivating mother-daughter relationship, the likes of which haven’t been on television since the days of Gilmore Girls. Fanning and Pfeiffer are phenomenal on their own, but the real magic happens when the actresses share the screen. Luckily, the show knows what it has and doesn’t skimp on shared scenes, investing in their sometimes volatile but always fiercely loving connection. The writing allows both Margo and Shyanne to be undeniably flawed and stubborn, but their perspectives and motivations are always clear and understandable.

While Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a show about women at its heart, the men are just as textured and impressive, particularly when it comes to Offerman’s stunning performance. There’s a beautiful tenderness and earnestness to Jinx that resonates hard, and Offerman expertly keeps him from ever falling into cliché, “big teddy bear” territory. This feels like a role he’s long been waiting for, providing a chance for the actor to showcase a side he’s rarely had the chance to display onscreen. On the other hand, Kenny is right in Kinnear’s wheelhouse, but man, does he nail it, infusing him with quirky little mannerisms that make him a brilliant standout performer in a stacked cast full of much flashier characters. He, too, could turn into a cartoonish, dorky villain in lesser hands, but Kinnear is always ready to surprise you by making you want to root for him.

Related

7 Upcoming Apple TV Shows You Cannot Miss

From dysfunctional family dramedies to heart-pounding thrillers.

Nicole Kidman and Marcia Gay Harden are, predictably, delightful as a pro-wrestler-turned-lawyer and Mark’s intense mother, respectively. It’s an absolute treat when either of them comes onscreen. Lindsey Normington and Rico Nasty as Rose and KC, the OnlyFans performers Margo eventually collaborates with, also deserve a shoutout. The two are a breath of fresh air, with lived-in chemistry and undeniable star quality that heavily contribute to that storyline’s feeling of authenticity. Hopefully, tthis is far from the last we see of both of them.

‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ Substance Is Elevated by Its Style

Image via Apple TV

Music is a standout element of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, from its Robyn theme song (and the visually interesting title sequence that accompanies it) and perfectly timed female-forward needle drops ranging from country icons like Shania Twain and Reba McEntire to alternative gems such as St. Vincent and Princess Nokia. The sound of the show not only helps develop its tone, but it also gives us a peek into the characters’ personalities and inner worlds, particularly when they’re singing in the car. In an epidemic of poorly lit shots and flat, bland visuals, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is full of color and life. The production design is detailed and intentional, and the color palette is vibrant. The direction, too, isn’t afraid to take risks, with bold, playful camera work that fits the show’s offbeat tone.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles is firing on all cylinders. From its nuanced and frequently hilarious writing to its layered performances to its unique sonic and visual language, everything works together to create something special. An unconventional family dramedy that contains more heart and wholesomeness than the premise might have you believe, this series is a must-watch.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles premieres April 15 on Apple TV.

Release Date

2026 – 2026-00-00

Network

Apple TV

Directors

Dearbhla Walsh

Writers

Rufi Thorpe

Pros & Cons

• Margo’s Got Money Troubles nails its balance of drama and comedy, creating a tone that’s delightfully offbeat yet grounded and heartfelt.
• The show features fantastic performances across the board, from its lead roles to its smaller supporting characters.
• The series is stylish, with an excellent music selection and vibrant production design.