“Margo’s Got Money Troubles” opened the SXSW Film Festival at the Paramount Theater on Thursday, March 12th. We were treated to three episodes of the new series and the remarks of most of the principal cast members after they screened. Showrunner David E. Kelley, husband of Michelle Pfeiffer and originator of so many hit television series, came onstage and insisted that the woman who wrote the book on which the characters were based, Rufi Thorpe, stand up in the audience and take a bow. Writers are often treated as prophets without honor in their own land, so that was refreshing. Of course, Kelley is a writer, so he knows the often seen lack-of-attribution-for-the-creator issue firsthand.
SYNOPSIS
The synopsis for the series, which starts on Apple on April 15th says: “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” is a bold, heart-warming and comedic family drama following recent college dropout and aspiring writer, Margo (Elle Fanning), the daughter of an ex-Hooter’s waitress Shayanne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and an ex-pro wrestler, Jinx, with drug abuse issues, played by Nick Offerman. Margo is forced to make her way forward with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills, and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them.”
The opening set-up features Margo being groomed by her Literature instructor at Fullerton College. According to Professor Gable, who impregnates the young Margo and then retreats to his wife and two children, Margo is practically the next Shakespeare. That works. Margo is soon with child.
First, Professor Gable seems to suggest that Margo get rid of the child and that she could well be the next Rufi Thorpe (the author who wrote the 2024 best selling novel on which the characters are based.) He mentions Harvard for Margo rather than Fullerton. The young, impressionable Margo falls victim to one of the oldest plays in the book.
PREGNANCY
Showrunner David E. Kelly after the Opening Night showing of “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” at SXSW 2026 on March 12, 2026.
There is no mention of why Margo isn’t on the pill or why condoms don’t enter the picture. That would definitely have stopped this plot at inception. Or conception.
Margo, for reasons that she can’t fully articulate, decides that she wants to keep this child, repeating the pattern of single motherhood that her own mother lived. Mom is not happy about it. At one point, following a neat film segue from Margo screaming in a parking lot (while Mom Michelle Pfeiffer screams inside the car) we move directly to screaming in labor and Bodhi Millet is born. [Cinematographers Carl Herse and Tari Segal get props for the neat juxtaposition.]
As the mother of two, I appreciated the reality of motherhood being depicted with all of the less-than-glamorous spit-up, feces, breast milk and paraphernalia. This version of motherhood reminded me of Marielle Heller’s film “Nightbitch” starring Amy Adams, which also told it like it is—(except for the part about turning into a dog.)
CAST & DIRECTOR
Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer (Margo & Shayanne) after the showing of “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” at SXSW on Opening Night (March 12, 2026.)
Present this night was Director Dearbhla Walsh, who has won an IFTA award for ‘Fargo” and directed episodes of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Kate Herron also directs and was onstage. The writing and directing take an excellent script by Kelley and, from there, the cast is an All Star ensemble, with Elle Fanning (a producer along with her sister Dakota) giving a terrific performance in the first three episodes we were shown. The others in the cast include Greg Kinnear as Kenny, Marcia Gay Harden, Nicole Kidman (who did not appear in episodes one through three) and those already mentioned.
CONCLUSION
This one is going on my ‘must see” list. It appears that Dad (Nick Offerman–who we were told did his own wrestling stunts) is going to stay on as Margo’s roommate. Margo is going to start making some quick money on OnlyFans, since she is unemployed. Mom Shayanne (Michelle Pfeiffer)–who is really not cut out to be the Grandmother who babysits— is engaged to uber Christian Kenny (Greg Kinnear) and the cosplaying roommate has not jumped ship, but is going to continue to be a shoulder for Margo to cry on.
Irish director Dearbhla Walsh addresses the crowd from the stage of the Paramount Theater after the showing of “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” on Opening Night of SXSW 2026 March12, 2026.
I look forward to the mother/daughter dynamic, which promises to be a big part of the story.As Director Dearbhla Walsh (in the brightly colored coat) said in her Irish accent, “If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother.”
The series is billed as being about bravery, courage, optimism, the lengths we will go to for our loved ones and controlling your own destiny in life. As someone with two children (born 19 years apart) who has lived parts of this story, I heartily recommend checking this one out when it premieres April 15th.
Jesse Plemons (“Breaking Bad”) appeared onstage at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas at SXSW with his castmates (Lily Rabe and Elizabeth Olsen) after the March 11th premiere of the first two episodes of the David E. Kelly series “Love & Death.” The series was written by Kelly but directed by Texas-born Leslie Linka Glatter. Plemons was a shadow of his former self, showing off a remarkable weight loss post series.
