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At one point in Megan Park’s My Old Ass, Elliott (Maisy Stella), while high on shrooms, encounters her older self (Aubrey Plaza). The adult version of Elliott tells her that time really speeds up as you grow older, and it’s essential to savor the present moments. It reminded me of the countless times adults in my life—parents, aunts, and grandparents—shared the same wisdom. Back then, I would roll my eyes and laugh it off, not fully believing them. Oh, how I wish I had listened because now I truly understand. Park’s latest film, fittingly titled My Old Ass, resonates deeply with anyone approaching the end of their young adulthood. While it’s undeniably hilarious with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, Park’s direction and script also evoke a sense of melancholy and introspection, especially as the film reaches its conclusion.
My Old Ass opens with both a literal and metaphorical trip. Elliott, an 18-year-old, celebrates her birthday by spending the day on a lake with friends and getting high on mushrooms. As her friends (Maddie Ziegler and Kerrice Brooks) drift into their own worlds, Elliott’s trip takes her on a wild voyage where she faces her 39-year-old self. The older Elliott, jaded and sardonic, begins to offer advice about the things younger Elliott should reconsider in life. It’s through this surreal encounter that Elliott is forced to reflect on everything—family, love, and a summer that is turning out to be more rebellious and transformative than she expected.
Initially, I went into Park’s film expecting it to be purely a comedy. However, what unfolded was a surprisingly emotional and contemplative exploration of self-identity, self-discovery, and the fleeting nature of time. Throughout the movie, we watch as young Elliott resists and rebels against her older counterpart, who is clearly desperate to shield her from some painful experiences that lie ahead. While Plaza’s character starts off as a mentor of sorts, we gradually see how the younger Elliott influences and changes her too. Together, Stella and Plaza create an exceptional on-screen duo, perfectly capturing the timeless connection between different life stages of the same person.
But My Old Ass also touches upon the subject of important life decisions, making connections and loss. The latter, especially grips our heart as we see older Elliott trying to protect her own self from pain. But as we see the characters handle all kinds of situations and conversations, the film highlights the influence people have on us and even though we all have to move on one day and pass from this world, it’s so worth knowing those who shape our life.
‘My Old Ass’ review
The supporting cast, including Ziegler, Brooks, White, and Dizzia, adds depth to the film, though they remain in the background as the story zeroes in on Elliott and her conversations with the older self. In the end, what we’re left with is a compelling and thought-provoking character study. The film prompts us to reflect on our own lives, consider where we are in our personal journeys, and most importantly, remind us to stop and appreciate the present moment. Often, we’re either dissecting the past or longing for the future, neglecting the significance of where we are right now. That is the central message of Park’s film.
My Old Ass is a comedy for everyone, both the young and the not-so-young. It’s a film that has the potential to spark existential conversations and create connections between generations. With the dynamic performances of Plaza and the fiery energy of Stella, this film is poised to become a standout comedy—one that people will revisit.
Grade: A-
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My Old Ass
An 18th birthday mushroom trip brings free-spirited Elliott face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self. But when Elliott’s "old ass" starts handing out warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn't do, Elliott realizes she has to rethink everything about family, love, and what's becoming a transformative summer.
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Director: Megan Park
Cast: Maisy Stella , Aubrey Plaza , Percy Hynes White
