“The concept was undeniably moving”: Megan Park and Maisy Stella on My Old Ass

This coming-of-age drama My Old Ass, written and directed by Megan Park, circles around the free-spirited life of 18-year-old Elliot (Maisy Stella) who takes her friends on a boat trip to a remote island for a girls-only camping trip. The trio take hallucinogenic mushrooms together and whilst tripping, Elliot manifests a version of herself in the future. When a 39-year-old Elliot (Aubrey Plaza) appears, she offers her younger self words of advice from the future, which then takes her younger self on a path of self-discovery, hope and heartbreak.

The bittersweet storylines bring about an authentic portrayal of misspent youth; the carefree days spent with friends, hurtling into various romantic encounters and the complexities of family dynamics. With a cast that includes Maddie Ziegler (Ruthie) and Kerrice Brooks (Ro) as Elliot’s best friends, the tone of the film is both modern and nostalgic, with emotional layers underpinning the central narrative.

The Upcoming had the pleasure of speaking to Park and Stella about working together, bringing Plaza on board and the stand-out dance scene where she pretends to be pop sensation, Justin Bieber.

Ezelle Alblas

My Old Ass is released nationwide on 27^th September 2024.

Watch the trailer for My Old Ass here: