My Old Ass
★★ 1/2
My Old Ass is a coming-of-age indie comedy with an intriguing twist: the protagonist meets her older self—played by the always-magnetic Aubrey Plaza—during a psychedelic trip. The film promises a quirky, heartfelt journey, but does it deliver? Well, sort of.
The premise kicks off with high school senior Elliott (Maisy Stella) on the brink of a big life change: the summer before college. One fateful night, while high on shrooms with her friends, Elliott is visited by her 39-year-old self. The older Elliott brings a mix of wisdom and cryptic warnings, acting as a guide to help her younger self navigate the rocky waters of transitioning into adulthood.
Sounds fun, right? Well, kind of. The "visit-your-older-self" concept is more of a gimmick than a game-changer. While it sets the events in motion, it quickly fades into the background as the movie focuses on Elliott's relationships with her family, friends and herself. To be honest, the moments between young Elliott and older Elliott felt a bit forced. The movie never fully explains whether this spectral visitation is real or a drug-fueled hallucination, and the ambiguity left me detached.
Where My Old Ass shines, however, is in its quieter, more grounded moments. Watching Elliott reconnect with her family, say her goodbyes and prepare to leave her small West Coast cranberry farm for the unknown is where the movie feels most authentic. The lush, picturesque setting perfectly captures the bittersweet vibe of a life chapter closing. You’ll practically smell the sea breeze and cranberry bogs while remembering your own awkward, hopeful transition into adulthood.
The standout is Elliott herself, played by a breakout talent who brings an emotional depth and natural charm to the role. She makes you root for her, even if the script doesn’t give you much to latch onto with the other characters. The supporting cast fades into the background, leaving you wanting more depth and connection to the world Elliott's about to leave behind.
So, is it worth watching? That depends. If you love introspective coming-of-age films, the dreamy West Coast aesthetic and Aubrey Plaza being, well, Aubrey Plaza, you’ll find moments to enjoy. But for me, the older-self subplot felt like a distraction rather than an enhancement. The movie had the potential to be a quieter, more impactful exploration of growing up, but I understand the need for a hook to sell the story.
My Old Ass is beautiful and bittersweet, but I couldn’t fully connect with it. Maybe it’s just me, but I left feeling distant—like a guest at a party where everyone knows each other better than you do. Still, I won’t blame anyone for loving it; it’s got heart, even if it didn’t quite win mine. This film is a thoughtful indie with flashes of brilliance but doesn’t fully land the leap into adulthood.
