Released in theaters Sept. 27, Megan Park’s sophomore movie, “My Old Ass,” is about an 18-year-old girl named Elliott (Maisy Stella) who is about to move away from her small town to Toronto for college. A funny script with solid performances, My Old Ass stumbles a bit on the path to delivering its message. But just like Park’s previous work, it’s a movie with a passionate lead seeking answers to their struggles as a teenager.  

Elliott is a classic angsty teen character who can’t wait to leave her hometown life behind. She decides to celebrate her 18th birthday by taking mushrooms with her best friends in the woods, which, of course, leads to her coming face-to-face with her older self, played by Aubrey Plaza.

To her shock, when young Elliott wakes up, she has her older self’s number on her phone. And no, there’s no logical explanation offered for it. As young Elliott struggles with figuring out new sides to her sexuality and falling in love, she can depend on help from who she trusts most: herself.

But, as the movie progresses, with both Elliotts maintaining contact through the phone calls, the story becomes more about young Elliott’s last days home falling in love than her connection to her older self, which feels like a waste of Plaza’s talents. She’s essential to the movie as she gives heartfelt advice to her young self and guides her to achieve what she needs to do. But for a movie titled “My Old Ass,” there could have been more of Plaza on screen. The scenes she does appear in later on add significantly to the plot, but it’s too long of a setup.

Still, the real star of the movie is Stella, who shines in this coming-of-age story. Being 18 herself during filming, she comfortably steps in the character’s shoes, portraying Elliott with so much heart and innocence, proving how important it is to accurately cast actual teenagers. Her love interest, Chad (Percy Hynes White) is not quite the heartthrob he is supposed to be, but what matters most is how the Elliotts react to him, which creates the charm needed for his character. 

A surprising spotlight was the Justin Bieber inspired dream sequence. It is one step away from being out of line with the emotional climax the movie is leaning toward, yet it fits just right with the tone and the teen themes. The humor generally comes naturally through the actors’ genuine performances as the script manages to balance the comedy with heartfelt moments. 

The movie’s setting — Elliott’s family farm and the nearby lake — helps shape Elliott’s perspective. As she starts internalizing her older self’s advice, she begins to grow a deeper appreciation for her life at home. 

Overall, the message behind the movie of learning to cherish the present flows cohesively with the script. No matter what point in the story her future self tries to intervene, it is always a second too late. Things are never going to work themselves out exactly right. Being young is about the chaotic and thrilling feeling of every discovery and change. Growing up is confusing and challenging. It is like waking up a different person every day. Young and old Elliott help one another see how they need to face their realities and come to terms with their respective existential doubts. The challenges they have to overcome teach them how to value their youth more. There is something beautiful about how, even after learning devastating things about the future from her older counterpart, Elliott remains optimistic about her future. She knows she cannot change the events coming, which gives her the clarity she was looking for to just live freely. 

Even though “My Old Ass” had its flaws — like underdeveloped supporting characters — it is an endearing portrayal of coming to terms with who she is at these two different stages in life. You have to lean into the outlandish plot of mushroom trips and time travel to fully appreciate the interaction between Elliotts, but it’s worth watching for a thoughtful message of growth and patience.