Megan Park’s feature film, My Old A*s, is one of those films that starts off truly annoying but slowly evolves. By the end, it evolved so much it is now one of my favorite movies of the year. Elliott (Maisy Stella) is your typical annoying Gen Z teen finally breaking free from her hellhole life on her family’s cranberry farm and heading to university to probably be an activist or something.
Elliott has only a week or two left of summer, so she decides to ditch her family’s going away party to hang out with her best friends Ruthie (Maddie Ziegler) and Ro (Kerrice Brooks) and camp out in the woods. As the three split a giant bag of shrooms, the psychedelics have different effects on each girl.
For Elliott, she is visited by her future 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). In short, older Elliott tells the younger to spend more time with her family before she leaves and to stay away from a boy named Chad. Then, older Elliott sneaks her phone number into younger Elliott’s phone and disappears.
The next day, a young man appears to help work the farm for final harvest. A spark ignites between Elliott and the young man (did I mention that Elliott is gay?…she is), and we find out the young man’s name is Chad (Percy Hynes White).
Let’s start with the annoying part: the film’s first twenty minutes. Yes, I’m an old man, and I find Gen Z, especially how they’re portrayed in movies and television, to be the worst. The film finally settles when Old Elliott appears, and there’s this infectious interplay between Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza. First is the whole “how do I know you’re older me” game, followed by the “I can’t tell you much about your future or you’ll ruin it” schtick. This is probably the comedic highlight of the film.
Elliott (Maisy Stella) and Kath (Maria Dizzia) in MY OLD A*S Photo: Marni Grossman/Prime Video © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC
“…Elliott is visited by her future 39-year-old self.”
This sci-fi plot continues as young Elliott calls old Elliott’s number, and they connect throughout the rest of the film. Now the story has focus. Elliott is now coming-of-age and learns what a dick she’s been to her family. She also becomes confused about her sexuality with the dangerous Chad in the picture (a plot point that may challenge current narratives about gay teens). Lastly, there’s an emotional turn between young and old Elliott that becomes the heart of the film and launches it as one of the best films so far this year.
I’ve never heard of Maisy Stella before. She has a modest presence on IMDB, but she is the star of this movie. She not only nails every single beat of the story and has an incredible rapport with Aubrey Plaza, but she gives a naturalistic performance that is neither overplayed nor undersold. There’s an authenticity that allows us to buy into this sci-fi version of a John Hughes story.
Bigger kudos to writer/director Megan Park. The story is masterfully told. We’ve seen the teen’s last summer movie before, and Park skillfully uses this future Elliott plot to flavor and accent sweet moments between Elliott and her parents and brothers. Really, all she knows about the future is that she’ll eventually turn thirty-nine. Then there’s the ending. Can’t spoil it, but it’s going to sneak up on you and hit you in feels.
My Old A*s turns out to be one of those delightful surprises to kick off award season. Megan Park delivers a heartfelt, sci-fi-tinged coming-of-age story that mixes humor, emotion, and a dash of the surreal to great effect. With standout performances from Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza, it sticks the landing beautifully—don’t be surprised if it ends up on your favorites list, too.