Well, I can tell you that my 29 year old ass certainly enjoyed it.

 

In her final Summer before starting college, 18 year old Elliot decides to go on a mushroom-induced nature trip in the woods with her two best friends. She inadvertently summons the figure of her older self who leads her on a journey to self understanding.

 

The tagline “what if your future self was a phone call away” is a unique premise that hooked me in, but as the story unfolds, it rather becomes “what if your past self was just a phone call away”. Young Elliot is the protagonist, but the story is really about her future self’s character arc. My Old Ass resonated with me, as the type of person that has wished to go back in time to protect my younger self. But the lesson of the story is that you don't have to do that to yourself. You can define your experiences, but they don’t have to define you.

 

The way Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza bounce off one another's words is a joy to witness. It can be daunting to cast two actors in the same role, but they are a perfect match for one another and Aubrey Plaza is tailor-made for a character like this. Maisy Stella’s portrayal of Elliot gave me the same warm fuzzies I felt watching the grounded and effortless performance of Elliot Page as Juno.

 

My Old Ass hits the classic formula. Tugs at the heartstrings, plays on nostalgia, and the performances are real and grounded. Once again, my own 29 year old ass couldn’t ask for a more healing experience right now.