I wanted to see “My Old Ass” as soon as I knew Aubrey Plaza was in the film but add in meeting yourself back when you’re eighteen, it sounded too good to miss. I felt like the concept could be funny but what I loved was how it was a fresh twist on the coming of age story, insightful, hilarious, and heartwarming. 

“My Old Ass” is a science fiction comedy-drama written and directed by Megan Park. In the film, Elliott Labrant (Maisy Stella) has her eighteenth birthday and decides to go on a mushroom trip with her best friends Ro (Kerrice Brooks) and Ruthie (Maddie Ziegler). As the three begin tripping, Elliott soon finds herself being visited by the older version of herself (Aubrey Plaza). Her Old Ass decides to take the opportunity to put her phone number in Elliott’s phone and begins handing out advice, some of it great, spend more time with your family but one mysterious, avoid a boy named Chad (Percy Hynes White). Young Elliott tries to do as her Old Ass tells her but soon learns there’s more going on with her family than she thought and also finds herself falling for Chad. Does she listen to herself or go with her feelings?  The film also stars Maria Dizzie as Elliott’s mom

I’ve seen quite a few coming of age stories and I think what makes this one unique and fresh is the ability to talk to your older self. I think most of us like the idea of being able to go back in time and hit our younger selves with some insight into our future, especially if we’ve made any bad decisions. This film takes that idea and brilliantly executes it, with some hilarious moments and some very insightful and heartwarming moments.

The comedy aspects are excellent. From the very start, Elliott is funny, trying to tell a girl that she likes her. When she meets Chad, she is skinny dipping and both their reactions are fantastic. Her interactions with her brothers are funny. One scene has her little brother putting up pictures in her room as he wants to take over when she leaves for college. The mushroom trips are funny, especially when Elliott is dancing and singing. And the sarcastic dialogue between her and her older self are hilarious. 

The performances are excellent, especially Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza. They are believable as a younger and older version of the same person. Maisy Stella is energetic and emotional in her performance with heartwarming moments with her mother and her brothers. She portrays her character with passion and humor. Aubrey Plaza is equally emotional especially in her end scenes as we find out the reason for her instructions to Elliott. Her portrayal is witty and warm. The pair have a rich dynamic. Percy Hynes White as Chad is warm, kind and funny as all get out, with a chemistry with Maisy Stella that is authentic and charming. 

If there is anything that I found lacking it was that I did find certain points predictable, especially in the warnings that Elliott’s old ass gives her younger self. But because the coming of age story was presented in a fresh way with twists and turns that were unexpected, I was still able to lose myself in the story and truly enjoy the comedy and the insight.

If you want to enjoy a fresh twist on coming of age, one that involves mushrooms and traveling to meet your younger self, then this film is for you. It has beautiful performances by Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza. The other actors are also excellent in movie and the entire film has hilarious, heartwarming scenes and insightful truths that should not be missed.

Rating: 4.5 mushrooms out of 5. 

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