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The trailer for My Old Ass, a time-travel film featuring a diverse cast of both veteran and emerging actors, presents a unique premise: 18-year-old Elliott Labrant (played by Maisy Stella) confronts her wise older self, portrayed by Aubrey Plaza, after an unexpected trip on mushrooms.
Set in a picturesque Ontario lakeside town, the film offers a fresh twist on the coming-of-age genre. The storyline revolves around the “free-spirited Elliott,” who, upon meeting her 39-year-old self, receives warnings that prompt her to reconsider everything about her family, life, and love. This intriguing narrative unfolds as Elliott navigates her identity and the lessons from her future self.
Released at Sundance this year, My Old Ass garnered positive reviews, praised for its innovative approach to familiar themes. The first encounter between the younger and older Elliott is not only poignant but is followed by a kiss and a series of phone calls, which deepen the narrative. The older version’s warnings aim to help the younger Elliott avoid early-life trauma—a theme that director Meghan Park also explored in her debut film, The Fallout, which focused on a schoolgirl traumatized by a tragic event.
Park mentioned that while both films tackle serious themes, My Old Ass initially emerged from a place of nostalgia rather than loss. She shared her astonishment at the real-life horrors faced by students, which influenced her earlier work.
For Stella, playing the younger Elliott resonated personally; having just graduated high school during filming, she expressed her own nostalgic feelings. “I’m a very nostalgic person. I was experiencing nostalgia when I was still in the things you’re supposed to be nostalgic about,” she noted.
Plaza, on the other hand, was emotionally moved upon reading the script, stating that it encapsulated the elements she enjoys in a film: a blend of high-concept storytelling and grounded, human experiences. “It’s the exact kind of movie I like,” she said, highlighting the imaginative aspect of the narrative.
My Old Ass was officially released in theaters on September 27, inviting audiences to explore its thought-provoking themes and imaginative storytelling.