There I was, enveloped in the thick, velvety darkness of the movie theater, heart racing with anticipation, eager to discover which mystery film was about to light up the screen.
Megaplex Theatres has introduced secret screenings they call “secret cinema,” which are previews of unreleased films. The price to pay for a mystery screening is $5, and individuals get to see the first 30 minutes of brand-new films. However, when I went, Megaplex played the entire film.
I saw “My Old Ass” during a secret cinema screening, and I left the theater a changed person. I was not the person I was a couple of hours prior because the profound themes stirred deep emotions that moved me to tears.
“My Old Ass” is a coming of age story about an 18-year-old girl, Elliott, getting ready to leave for college. While that description alone sounds boring and typical, the hilarious twist to this movie is that the young girl encounters her 39-year-old self while hallucinating on mushrooms.
Elliott realizes that her older self put her phone number in Elliott’s phone, so they can keep in contact with each other. When Elliott asks her older self the one thing she would tell her younger self, 39-year-old Elliott replies with, “Stay away from anyone named Chad.”
The very next day, Elliott meets Chad. She is alarmed and intensely listens to her older self, and tries her best to stay away from him. The movie follows this storyline of Elliott and Chad’s relationship all while trying to listen to what her older self is telling her.
What worked
“My Old Ass” appears like a comedy upon first watching it; however, this film displayed and evoked deep emotions. It showed what it feels like to leave the only home you’ve ever known, navigate one’s own sexuality and learn to live life without fear for the future.
Leaving home to come to college was one of the most difficult times of my life, because I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. I had intense fear for the unknowns in my future and woke up everyday with extreme anxiety. Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned to embrace the unknowns, because that is what makes life worth living. The surprises we encounter bring us the most special experiences and opportunities we could ever ask for.
While this lesson took me a couple of years to learn, young Elliott learned this in one summer. It was emotional to see that play out on screen because I’ve lived through it. This lesson about living life to the fullest and without fear made the entire movie blissful for me to watch. It was a much needed reminder that had me leaving the theater in tears.
While a lot of films these days have token queer characters that feel like a check off the list for diversity, Elliott doesn’t feel like a checkmark on a list at all. Her discovery of her own sexuality doesn’t feel forced, and it doesn’t feel like an awkward compromise for inclusion.
She is a complex character, and being queer isn’t her only personality trait. In fact, the film follows her questioning her sexuality and doesn’t stick to solely identifying as one specific group; it shows a spectrum.
Additionally, every interaction between Elliot and her 39-year-old self is amusing and humorous, and I credit this to the actors who play these two characters — Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza.
Plaza as Elliott’s older self is witty yet down to earth. She felt like a realistic 39-year-old through her comedic manner. Every interaction between the two felt genuine and sensitive to each varying situation in the film, like the advice to spend time with family or getting to know the forewarned Chad.
Stella, as a young Elliott, is incredible and breathtaking. I was in awe of how familiar and relatable she made this character and how effortlessly she brought her to life on screen. It didn’t feel like I was watching the movie, it felt like I was transported into the movie.
What didn’t work
I’ve been wracking my brain trying to come up with a critique I have for what I didn’t like about “My Old Ass.” It’s difficult to conjure up something I didn’t like because every aspect of this film was realistic and homely.
However, if I had to critique one thing, and this isn’t to the movie’s distaste but rather my own personal preference, this isn’t the kind of movie I’d watch over and over. This is the kind of movie I’d watch when I need some self-reflection. It’s not a happy or leisurely watch.
When I say I left the theater in tears, I mean sobbing. My kind of leisurely movie does not involve me crying. However, the point of this film isn’t to be a quick, fun watch. It’s to emphasize the extraordinary gift of free will and to live without regret. It’s a deep thought kind of movie.
The verdict
I’m rating “My Old Ass” a four and a half out of five stars; it’s a must-see in theaters. It was hilarious, thanks to the duo of the two Elliotts and the outstanding performances by the women who played them. I truly felt like I was living the story right alongside them.
While the humor is a great bonus, the real message here is that every moment is worth embracing, and the future should be faced with boldness, not fear. This film was a compelling reminder of the gift we all have: the opportunity to wake up each day, not knowing what’s ahead but knowing we have the freedom to make our own choices.
This film is a call to be self-aware, make choices that matter and spend our time with the people we love. Life is far too precious to be wasted, and “My Old Ass” drove that message home with undeniable clarity.
