If given the opportunity, what advice would you offer your younger self? In My Old Ass, Megan Park takes this familiar question and adds a clever, insightful twist.
Have you ever gone through old journals or diaries and realized you weren’t as naive or immature as you thought? It’s a weirdly satisfying feeling and makes up for the looming fear of having wasted half our lives coming to terms with life, something that is at the heart of most mid-life crises.
Megan Park’s second feature, My Old Ass, offers a clever and uniquely heartwarming exploration of existential philosophy through the eyes of a young protagonist.
Does it succeed?
Let’s find out.
What’s the Story?
Set during the emotionally charged weeks leading up to the start of college, My Old Ass follows Elliott (Maisy Stella), a queer teenager living in the picturesque Muskoka Lakes in Canada (a setting that also serves as a subtle tourism promotion). In her final days before leaving, Elliott spends her time hooking up with a local girl and getting high, leaving her family to worry about her impending departure. Her actions feel more like typical teen self-absorption than maliciousness. During a mushroom trip with her two closest friends, Elliott encounters her older self (Aubrey Plaza), an encounter she initially attributes to the effects of the drugs rather than a disruption in reality. However, when the trip ends, she discovers that her future self has left a phone number in her contacts, leading to an unexpected relationship where the older Elliott offers advice and guidance.
Among the usual bits of wisdom, like appreciating her family more, the most puzzling advice is to avoid someone named Chad at all costs. This suggestion becomes increasingly confusing when Elliott finally meets him and finds him seemingly perfect. How could someone so flawless be such a major red flag? It’s a question that could fit perfectly for so many of life’s problems growing up.
What follows is a laid-back and charming comedy reminiscent of a slightly edgier YA novel. Writer-director Megan Park, known for her earlier work The Fallout, skillfully portrays Elliott’s last weeks with a refreshing sense of realism. Elliott isn’t portrayed as a rebellious teen terrorizing her loving family, a trope that’s done to death. Instead, she’s a little thoughtless, needing some fine-tuning rather than a dramatic transformation. Park’s talent for capturing the natural rhythms of teen speech — genuine, unfiltered, and relatable — shines through again. Even when tackling subjects others might oversimplify or approach with a preachy tone, Park finds authenticity and avoids cliché. While the premise is more fantastical here, Park manages to strike a balance, blending the story’s absurdity with a grounded portrayal of how real people might navigate an unreal situation.
Also Read: The Two Faces of Ripley
Life with All its Quirks
What is it about coming-of-age stories that draw us in like bees to honey? Is it the chance to see a version of our lives on screen and to feel, even if for a few moments, that we didn’t waste those years that flew by too fast? The life lessons Park presents may not be surprising—appreciating youth, learning from mistakes, and being kinder to parents—but they resonate deeply. As the film approaches its final act, Park highlights its underlying melancholy, culminating in an unexpectedly powerful emotional moment. While the reveal is something we’ve seen before, it’s executed so skillfully that it still leaves a strong impact, offering a thoughtful take on what defines a poor life choice.
Of course, there are some narrative gaps, which is to be expected in a story about time travel. Wisely, Park’s screenplay avoids getting bogged down in explaining how Elliott is connected to her older self. Instead, it invites us to accept it and move forward because the film conveys much more. Beyond encouraging us to value the present, it also offers reflections on the sorrow of looking back. Elliott’s older self is weighed down by regrets that, while only hinted at, have transformed her from a cheerful person into someone more hardened and disillusioned. This is understandable to a degree, but the film challenges us with a thought-provoking question:
If we knew the future, would it change our choices today?
What Works?
My Old Ass packs a sincere and warm gut punch that takes your breath away and makes you tear up in a warm, gooey way. A brilliant moment mid-way through the movie captures the whole bittersweet emotion of watching your kids growing up into adults. It’s when Elliot’s sitting with her mom, who, like mothers everywhere, had to stay up all night putting the child to sleep. One night, she finally puts her in the crib and enjoys a good night’s sleep. It’s a success and a happy moment for a mother whose nerves must’ve been frayed from lack of sleep. But it’s also the start of opening your palm and watching the sand slip through your finger. That’s what having a child and then watching them grow is. It was such a poignant and telling moment that led to a lot of nose-blowing and frantic searching for a tissue.
Surprise Package
We’ll be honest; we went in expecting to see Aubrey Plaza, who’s been having a renaissance ever since appearing in The White Lotus and Emily the Criminal. While Plaza does her part, the movie truly belongs to Maisy Stella, the spoon that stirs the cream. She is a remarkable talent, best known for her role in the TV series Nashville. A sharp and intuitive young actor, she brings a raw, unpolished quality that sets her apart from the overly polished former Disney stars who dominate the industry today. She’s also an impressive singer, which adds a charming, Bieber-esque moment to the mix. Meanwhile, Plaza, who has come into her own as an actor through standout performances at Sundance in films like Ingrid Goes West and Emily the Criminal, delivers exceptional work. Her consistency as a top-tier performer shines, and the chemistry between the two actors is heartfelt and genuine.
Is it Old Goods in New Packing?
Have we seen movies that have broached the same topic that My Old Ass puts forth? Sure. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t watch them. There’s a belief that all stories originate from seven points of origin, so some aspects of inspiration are unavoidable. That’s not a bad thing. Films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Arrival are big names that have traversed similar themes.
However, My Old Ass manages to make it feel refreshing, mainly because it’s framed within the context of a coming-of-age story. While it may seem like a movie for teenagers, it’s not solely aimed at that audience. Throughout life, we make choices that we might later wish to undo, but unlike reel life, real life only moves forward. The key to finding peace lies in learning to embrace our choices and live wholeheartedly despite those moments of regret
The Verdict
Yes, My Old Ass is a bit wild, but then weren’t we all once? And isn’t that what growing up is all about? The movie charms in the most tender and heartfelt way. Park’s second feature is a relaxed, feel-good, and unpretentious film that tackles big existential questions with a playful and fragmented approach. What teenager isn’t eager to rush into the future? This film gently encourages us to reflect on our past selves—blurred, impatient versions of who we once were, anxious to become who we are today.
We give it a 4 out of 5.
