Netflix’s New Judy Blume Series Debuts With Strong Rotten Tomatoes Score With Both Critics & Audiences

Judy Blume is a renowned author, and her work has gone on to support generations of young readers. The author, who published a series of works that continues to influence middle grade literature, released her first book in 1969. The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo did not initially draw much notice, but it received more attention after Blume published her third work: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (1970). That novel, which tells the story of a young woman struggling with faith, has been frequently criticized for its mature elements, though it became an instant bestseller.

Since Margaret‘s publication, Blume went on to publish more books, which have frequently been adapted into live-action movies and shows. Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great (1991), the controversial Forever (1978), Tiger Eyes (2012), and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023) all brought Blume’s work to life. Unfortunately, none of those movies ever earned an overwhelming amount of attention from viewers or critics. Though her books have earned renown, the 87-year-old author has still been awaiting a truly successful adaptation, and she may have just found it.

Forever Is Thrilling Critics And Audiences

It Has Become An All-Around Success

While every Judy Blume movie has stumbled with critics in some respects, the most recent adaptation is nearly flawless. Netflix’s Forever is an adaptation of Blume’s 1975 work and tells the story of two athletes falling in love. Lovie Simone stars as Keisha Clark, alongside Michael Cooper Jr.’s Justin, Xosha Roquemore’s Shelly, and Wood Harris’ Eric. The eight-episode season 1 was released in full on May 8 and remains available for viewers to binge. It has already sparked a deluge of positive responses, and vanishingly few are negative.

Forever Ending Explained: Do Keisha & Justin Stay Together?

Judy Blume’s Forever has been brought to Netflix, but with some differences. Still, the themes about teenage romance are evident in the show’s ending.

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Forever is already an extraordinary success. Critics have offered near-universal acclaim, granting a 94% Tomatometer score and praising the performances, nuance, and sensitivity of the show. Audiences agreed that the series is exceptional, as it has earned a 97% Popcornmeter score at the time of writing. These scores could change as more viewers tune in, but it is an early sign that this could be the exceptional adaptation that Blume has been waiting for.

What The Rotten Tomatoes Scores Mean For Forever

It Should Draw Wider Interest

Justin holds a condom and a cucumber in his bedroom in Netflix's Forever

The benefit of exceptional Rotten Tomatoes scores is that those marks alone could draw interest from a wider audience. Viewers who may be initially reluctant to spend their time on an eight-episode drama series could be compelled to tune in when it earns scores this universally positive. It has only been two days since its release, so there is still time for this show to gain enough momentum to become a breakout hit for Netflix. Given the response from critics and audiences alike, Forever certainly deserves more positive attention and is likely to receive it.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes