My Old Ass is an endearing and sincere comedy-drama that reminds us that adolescence is an essential time for making mistakes. Its light, immature feel does not shy away from delving into a very empathetic coming-of-age story that explores youth, fear, loss, identity and reflection in tender detail.
After Megan Park’s debut feature, The Fallout, in 2021, her sophomore effort blends science fiction and YA drama to create a story that sticks to convention while taking some colourful detours. Fundamentally, it explores a concept many people question: What would you ask your future self?
Elliott Labrant (Maisy Stella) is an upcoming high school graduate who is months away from moving to Toronto for college. She barely spends time with her family, has no interest in working at her parent’s cranberry farm, and instead spends her time being reckless with friends and hooking up with as many girls as possible. When we first meet her, she is comically near-crashing a small boat as she pilots toward a bridge—stability and maturity are not Elliott’s strongest attributes.
One night on her birthday, Elliott and her girlfriends take mushrooms while camping. Along for the ride are her best friends, Ro (Kerrice Brooks) and Ruthie (Maddie Ziegler). While her friends trip out, Elliott gets concerned the drugs aren’t working on her – until a mysterious older version of Elliott turns up in the form of Aubrey Plaza. Elliott is confused but utterly thrilled; this is herself at 39. They may not look the same, but Stella and Plaza convincingly persuade their audience they will eventually share the same identity.
Older Elliott is deadpan (in a classic Aubrey Plaza way) and cryptic but willing to be friends. She refuses to give Elliott spoilers for her future but acts in a way that indicates she has a bright yet complex destiny ahead. The most she gives Elliott is a reminder to spend time with her family (especially her two brothers) and an ominous message to ‘stay away from a guy called Chad’. They remain friends over phone calls but soon become distant when older Elliott loses contact with her. Both seem to share a fear of the future and, in older Elliott’s case – the past.
When Elliott bumps into the presciently named Chad (Percy Hynes White) while skinny dipping in a local lake, things become complicated as she balances heeding her older self’s advice and developing a deep connection with a man she finds almost no faults with. The two have a playful chemistry that becomes infectious to watch over the lush, Canadian landscape – even if sometimes following predictable genre beats.
While the drama remains hopeful, the science fiction elements are often left eyebrow-raising—a small conceit considering the film’s emotional maturity. At its core, this is about older Elliott learning as much from her younger self as Elliott does her older self. Questioning the logic of the time-travel shenanigans becomes inconsequential.
As a queer protagonist, My Old Ass tackles Elliott’s sexuality in exciting and sometimes refreshing ways. While it is rejuvenating to see bisexuality explored without any queer angst, it comes from an angle where a girl so sure she only liked girls starts to wrestle with romantic sentiments for a man. While it would have been slightly more apt to have Elliott’s queerness come out in ways that were more than just flings, it is a compelling reminder that opposite-sex attraction does not negate queer identity.
Maisy Stella plays Elliot with a joyous but impetuous spark – she can lead the film knowing the audience will root for her, yell at her, and simultaneously feel for her. Plaza (whilst slightly underused) is vulnerable, witty, and playful, adding a welcomed maturity to the primarily youthful cast. Percy Hynes White also brings a quirkiness that adds fun to the more dramatic moments. It is equal parts tearjerker and comical crowd-pleaser.
Teenagers are young, dumb, and don’t realise what they have at that age until they lose it. My Old Ass is a celebration of embracing a time when imperfection and spontaneity are building blocks to growth. It is a hilarious, authentic and lively story about growing up – a reminder that following our destinies is more fulfilling than trying to avoid them.
