My Old Ass – the title alone is enough to catch attention, but beneath the cheeky surface lies one of 2024’s most tender and thought-provoking coming-of-age dramedies. Written and directed by Megan Park, the film stars Maisy Stella as Elliott, an 18-year-old girl whose psychedelic mushroom trip leads her to an unexpected encounter with her 39-year-old self—played with emotional depth and sharp wit by Aubrey Plaza. Blending surreal comedy with heartfelt insight, My Old Ass explores the bittersweet process of growing up, the pitfalls of advice, and the necessity of making your own mistakes to truly mature.
Released to critical praise and quickly gaining traction across streaming platforms and social media, the film has become a cultural talking point, especially among Gen Z and millennial audiences who resonate with its honest portrayal of self-discovery, love, and regret. This article dives into the themes, performances, internet response, and growing legacy of a film that dares to ask: what would you do if your older self showed up to warn you not to fall in love?
The Plot with a Twist
My Old Ass is fundamentally a coming-of-age tale with an unusual premise. Elliott, on the brink of adulthood and unsure of where life is heading, embarks on a mushroom trip during one hazy summer day. But this isn’t your typical high—through the fog of her trip, she encounters her 39-year-old self, a jaded but compassionate version of who she might become.
The older Elliott delivers poignant advice: savour family time while you still can, and whatever you do, don’t fall for Chad. Played by Percy Hynes White, Chad is the charming but emotionally evasive boy destined to break her heart. But like most 18-year-olds, Elliott isn’t ready to be told what to do. Her decision to ignore the warnings and follow her feelings sets off a chain of experiences that shape her into someone older Elliott could never fully prepare her to be.
Aubrey Plaza’s Scene-Stealing Performance
Aubrey Plaza’s role as older Elliott is one of the film’s standouts. Known for her deadpan humour and unconventional roles, Plaza brings a grounded vulnerability to her performance. Her portrayal balances sardonic wit with emotional warmth, capturing the essence of someone who’s lived through regret but still sees the value in her past mistakes.
Her chemistry with Maisy Stella is seamless—so much so that audiences have praised the casting as one of the most believable portrayals of an older-younger self dynamic in recent film. In a pivotal scene where older Elliott urges her younger self not to repeat her mistakes, there’s a mixture of frustration, affection, and existential humour that resonates deeply.
Maisy Stella’s Star-Making Turn
For Maisy Stella, best known from the musical drama Nashville, My Old Ass marks a significant leap in her acting career. As Elliott, Stella captures the dizzying contradictions of late adolescence—confidence intertwined with insecurity, idealism colliding with cynicism, and the desperate desire to both rebel and belong.
Her performance is especially powerful in scenes where Elliott grapples with her feelings for Chad, even as she knows heartbreak lies ahead. Rather than portraying her as naïve, Stella gives Elliott a quiet defiance; it’s not that she doesn’t understand the risks—she just wants to live her own life, messiness and all.
Megan Park’s Direction Shines
After the success of her debut film The Fallout (2021), Megan Park returns with a sophomore feature that is both more ambitious and more intimate. Her direction weaves together humour, magical realism, and emotional honesty without ever veering into cliché.
Park’s script sparkles with authenticity, capturing the awkwardness of family barbecues, the electric thrill of first love, and the painful self-awareness that comes with hindsight. The film’s most powerful moments don’t rely on special effects or overblown drama but instead on quiet interactions, subtle expressions, and unspoken truths.
A Soundtrack to Remember
Music plays a significant role in the film, with an indie-folk infused soundtrack that mirrors Elliott’s emotional landscape. Songs from artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzy McAlpine, and Hozier underscore the film’s most intimate scenes, creating a mood that lingers long after the credits roll.
The original score, composed by Alex Somers, blends acoustic instrumentation with ethereal textures, elevating the film’s dreamlike sequences and grounding its emotional beats. On websites like YouTube and Spotify, audiences have given the music high marks, and fan-made playlists dubbed “My Old Ass Soundtrack Vibes” are becoming more and more well-known.
Internet Buzz and Critical Reception
Since its debut, My Old Ass has sparked a flurry of online discussion. On TikTok, fans have been posting reaction videos to key scenes, especially those involving Elliott’s conversations with her older self. The hashtag #MyOldAssMovie has amassed millions of views, with users sharing their own imagined dialogues with future selves, often with equal parts humour and heartbreak.
X (formerly Twitter) has seen a mix of memes and heartfelt threads about the film’s message. One viral tweet reads: “My Old Ass reminded me that sometimes you have to get your heart broken to grow. And that’s okay.” Others joked about wanting their older selves to appear with career tips or dating advice.
Critics, too, have embraced the film. The Guardian called it “a sharp, funny and touching reflection on modern youth,” while The New York Times praised its “refreshing take on the time-travel trope that prioritises emotional authenticity over sci-fi spectacle.”
A Generational Film for the TikTok Age
My Old Ass talks directly to a generation that is torn between emotional vulnerability and hyper-awareness, which is why it is so relevant in 2024. In an era where young people are inundated with advice—from self-help books to motivational reels—Elliott’s refusal to follow her future self’s instructions is both defiant and empowering.
She represents a generation that’s been told how to live at every turn—yet still chooses to stumble, fall, and figure it out for themselves. And that’s what makes the film so powerful: it doesn’t vilify mistakes. It honours them.
The Symbolism Behind the Title
While humorous at first glance, the title My Old Ass serves as a metaphor. It reflects the relationship we have with our past and future selves, and the humour we often need to cope with life’s inevitabilities. There’s something inherently funny—and deeply human—about imagining your older self interrupting your youthful plans with unsolicited advice.
But it’s also a recognition that time is unrelenting. Whether we like it or not, we all become someone older. This film makes peace with that transformation while celebrating the messy path it takes to get there.
Percy Hynes White as Chad
Chad could have easily been a one-dimensional love interest, but Percy Hynes White brings unexpected nuance to the role. Yes, he’s charming. Yes, he breaks Elliott’s heart. But he’s not portrayed as a villain. He’s a product of his own immaturity, just as Elliott is.
Their relationship unfolds with real tension—intimate moments, dashed hopes, and emotional misfires. When Elliott eventually walks away from him, it doesn’t feel like a triumphant “I told you so” moment for older Elliott—it feels like a rite of passage. A lesson learned through living, not lecturing.
The Quiet Power of Family Themes
One of older Elliott’s most pressing messages is for her younger self to appreciate family time. This theme, woven throughout the narrative, adds emotional weight to an otherwise whimsical story.
Elliott’s relationship with her parents and siblings, especially during the family’s summer gathering, provides context for her choices. The warmth, awkwardness, and quiet grief in these scenes will feel familiar to anyone who’s ever looked back and wished they’d paid more attention to their loved ones.
A Future Cult Classic?
Given its quirky tone, heartfelt storytelling, and striking performances, My Old Ass is already being hailed as a cult classic in the making. Fans are comparing it to Lady Bird, The Edge of Seventeen, and even Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind—films that blend emotional depth with offbeat charm.
It’s a film you want to talk about afterwards. A film that makes you want to call your mum, text your ex, or write a letter to your future self. That kind of resonance is rare, and it speaks volumes about Megan Park’s strength as a filmmaker.
FAQs
What is My Old Ass about?
My Old Ass is a 2024 coming‑of‑age dramedy directed and written by Megan Park. It follows 18‑year‑old Elliott (Maisy Stella) who, during a mushroom trip, meets her 39‑year‑old self (played by Aubrey Plaza). The older version offers life advice—telling her to treasure family time and to avoid falling for Chad (Percy Hynes White). But Elliott chooses experience and heartbreak, learning maturity on her own terms .
Who are the key cast and creators?
Maisy Stella makes her film debut as young Elliott, joined by Aubrey Plaza’s seasoned performance as older Elliott. The film also features Maddie Ziegler and Percy Hynes White. Megan Park (fresh off The Fallout) both wrote and directed it, with Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap and Indian Paintbrush producing .
How has it been received by critics and audiences?
Critics have praised the film for its heartfelt tone and strong performances—Rotten Tomatoes shows a 90 % critic score with an 89 % audience rating . Mark Kermode, Wendy Ide, and Jonathan Romney highlighted its emotional depth and sly charm . IMDb lists an overall rating of 6.9/10 .
Where can I watch it and what makes it stand out now?
The movie premiered at Sundance in January 2024 and hit select theaters in September before streaming on Prime Video in November . On X, it recently trended under the hashtag #MyOldAss, celebrated for its mix of coming‑of‑age storytelling and time‑bending mushrooms trip scenes .
Why is My Old Ass considered a fresh take on time‑travel and teen drama?
Unlike typical time‑travel films, it treats psychedelic hallucination as the conduit—no sci‑fi tech, just raw emotional honesty. Its blend of humour, teen romance, and reflective wisdom feels both light and emotionally resonant; critics call it “a winning comedy about the rush to become who you are” .
Final thoughts
My Old Ass is the kind of film that sneaks up on you—funny, surreal, and slightly odd at first, but ultimately profound. Through its imaginative premise and emotionally rich storytelling, it explores what it means to grow up, to fall in love, to screw things up, and to keep going anyway.
Maisy Stella’s earnest portrayal of Elliott, matched with Aubrey Plaza’s sharp and soulful turn as her older self, creates a dynamic that feels as authentic as it is entertaining. Megan Park delivers a story that reminds us all: we can be warned, guided, and cautioned—but sometimes, the only way to truly grow is to walk through the fire ourselves.
In a cinematic world full of reboots and recycled plots, My Old Ass stands out as original, funny, heartfelt, and unapologetically human.
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