You Killed Me First

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes descriptions of physical and emotional abuse, mental illness, suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance abuse, anti-LGBTQ+ bias, and profanity. The premise of the source text also perpetuates unfair stereotypes by depicting people with mental health conditions as dangerous. 

Margot is one of the protagonists and narrators of the story. She lives in a suburban town with her husband, Nicu, and her stepchildren, Frankie and Tommy. Margot used to be part of a famous pop band when she was younger; however, the band broke up after receiving inexplicably negative publicity. In addition, Margot’s reputation was damaged when she began an affair with Nicu after they met on a dance reality show, especially given that Nicu had a girlfriend, Ioana, and children as well. After Ioana’s death (seemingly by suicide) on the day after Margot and Nicu’s wedding, Margot became widely reviled and was forced to retire from public life.

Despite the erosion of her fame, Margot remains deeply enamored of external attention and expends considerable energy in projecting a false persona. When Margot first notices Liv moving in, she is jealous of the other woman’s wealth, beauty, and lavish lifestyle. Her insecurities around Liv only intensify when Liv takes a dislike to her and constantly finds ways to put Margot down, especially in Anna’s presence.