Coming of age movies are making a return and My Old A** is here to prove it. With its hilarious, heartfelt, and tear-jerking take on self-discovery, this film is bringing new life into this died down genre. Director Megan Park’s masterpiece, which stars up and coming talent Maisy Stella, and veteran Aubrey Plaza, captures the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of growing up.

The story follows Elliott (Stella) during her last summer before leaving her small town in Muskoka, Ontario, to attend the University of Toronto. Her family has farmed cranberries in Muskoka for generations, but Elliott dreams of breaking away from tradition and starting fresh in the big city. On her 18th birthday, she goes camping with her best friends, Ro (Kerrice Brooks) and Ruthie (Maddie Ziegler). During their celebration, they make tea using mysterious mushrooms sourced through Ro's connections. What begins as a hallucinogenic adventure takes a crazy turn when Elliott meets her 39-year-old self (Plaza).

At first, Elliott is shocked and refuses to believe this older woman could be her. She questions Older Elliott about her life, only to be met with mysterious responses and one specific piece of advice: “Stay away from guys named Chad.” Despite this warning, Elliott finds herself drawn to Chad (Percy Hynes White), a kind, caring, dream boyfriend material, farmhand working on her family’s property. As Elliott struggles with her feelings for Chad—especially since she has always identified as a lesbian—she keeps in touch with her older self, who continues to urge her to avoid all Chads.

The film balances humor and heartfelt moments as Elliott navigates the challenges of self-discovery and adulthood. Along the way, she learns to appreciate her younger brothers (Seth Isaac Johnson and Carter Trozzolo) and to cherish moments with her mother (Maria Dizzia). 

Every character in the film is portrayed with authenticity, a testament to Megan Park’s skill as both writer and director. My Old A** is her major follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2021 film The Fallout, which followed the complexities of teen life after surviving a school shooting. Park demonstrates a deep understanding of the teenage mindset, creating a movie that perfectly captures what it means to be a misunderstood, emotional teen. She also tells the story with humor, making Elliott’s life feel messy, relatable, and surprisingly funny. One standout scene features Elliott serenading Chad with her own rendition of Justin Bieber’s “One Less Lonely Girl,” joined by Ro and Ruthie.

The movie is a trip (both figuratively and literally) in that it leaves so much room for interpretation. Is Older Elliott revisiting her younger self to reflect on her past, or is Young Elliott seeing her older self to learn the importance of living in the moment? This uncertainty is part of what makes the story so engaging.

The impeccable cast is what brings the film to life. Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza share undeniable chemistry, and their dynamic creates the movie’s emotional core. In an interview, the cast revealed that the scene where Elliott kisses her older self was improvised, showcasing the trust and connection between the actors. 

Stella, a rising star, delivers a breakout performance with her incredible screen presence and comedic timing. She captures the messy, confusing, and often bittersweet experiences of teenage life with ease. One of the film’s most touching moments is a scene between Elliott and her mother, where they reflect on the idea that we rarely recognize “last moments” as they happen. Stella’s relatability as a young actress navigating similar experiences to her character makes her portrayal of Elliott feel authentic and heartfelt. 

Meanwhile, Aubrey Plaza shines in a more emotional role, balancing her signature deadpan humor with a deeper, more delicate performance. Despite the fact that Stella and Plaza look nothing alike, their shared wit and chemistry create a believable illusion that these two very different women are one and the same.

My Old A** is a heartfelt, hilarious masterpiece that left me resonating with its themes more than any movie I’ve seen. It’s a touching reminder that the future is both beautiful and terrifying in its unpredictability. Life has a plan for us, whether we’re aware of it or not. This film inspires you to appreciate the people you love and the moments you share because you never know how special those moments will become.

As a senior going through many of the same transitions as Elliott, I found this film profoundly moving. As Elliott herself says, “Maybe being young and dumb isn’t such a bad thing.” So, embrace the moment, and take the time to watch My Old A**—a movie that just might change how you see your own life.

5/5