In the film My Old Ass, Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella step into the shoes of a single character, Elliot, across different ages, bridging the gap between youth and adulthood.
As Elliot, both Plaza and Stella deliver stellar that showcases the dynamic between a younger self and an older one. Written and directed by Megan Park, the film brings that magic that happens when an actor really nails a role.
In this interview with Plaza, Stella and Park, the trio discus their collaboration and how they portrayed a single character across two ages, and the connection they all needed to bring My Old Ass to life. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Maisy, how did you react to hearing that Aubrey would play the older Elliot?
Maisy Stella: I like literally was like freaking out. I was so excited because if I could pick anyone, it would have been Aubrey.
There was a list of people, and I was like Aubrey’s the coolest, like immediately the movie is just cooler if she’s involved. Just better in every sense. And so, she just made the most sense, I think, script wise.
I think a lot of the people that we were talking about would have been incredible, but they just would have changed the whole tone of the script. I feel like Aubrey fit so perfectly and made everything about it funnier.
Did you study each other’s mannerisms to play the same character?
Maisy Stella: Yes and no. I was filming already for two weeks when Aubrey got attached. So, I had already had somewhat established baby Elliot. And so, I was just so wigged out and it was such a mind bend for me to have my tattoos be on your body and it really, really weirded me out. I think it was more of an energetic match.
Aubrey Plaza: Yeah. I was sent some of her dailies so, I was able to watch her on screen and actually see the character. And then when I got there, we only had a couple days before I was on camera, but the minute she was near me, I was like hunting her like a wolf, just like watching her. I didn’t want to overdo it, but I was definitely trying to let her wash over me.
Aubrey, what was it like working with Maisy as both your scene partner and the film’s lead?
Aubrey Plaza: It was pretty clear to me when I saw the footage before I even got to set, and just heard like the feedback that was happening, I was like, “Oooh, something magical is going on down there.”
And you can just, when you watch her on screen, there is no self-awareness. There’s no ego. It’s just you’re watching a real person, and it’s so refreshing because it just really rare. And I think as a scene partner, I felt like I’m working with a real actor. Like it felt like we were on the same page. And I felt like we had the same approach.
She also reminded me, and reminded my old ass, not to be jaded. I’m not that old, but I feel it’s hard to show up to sets and kind of have that energy sometimes, just reminding yourself like I’m living out my dream. Like, “this is crazy.”
And so, and she just has that in spades. It was very, very refreshing.
Maisy, did working with Aubrey and others support you in leading the film?
Maisy Stella: There was every ounce of support imaginable. And the second I met Aubrey, I was so disarmed and we worked so well together. I was so in awe of her. I literally had butterflies every day.
And before we would film, she would be like, “Are you good? What do you need from me?” I didn’t even know that that was something that people do. Like, I had never experienced that. I genuinely just noted it, like, that’s what I’m supposed to do.
Megan, was there an order of importance in casting the two Elliots?
Megan Park: It did matter, no offense to Aubrey, but younger Elliot is in every frame of the movie. So, we had to find the right younger Elliot and then build the cast around her.
But you don’t always get that luxury, you know? Sometimes you have to cast the star the famous star first and then build around it, which would have been great also. But it all worked out the way that it should have.
What lessons did making My Old Ass bring you?
Maisy Stella: I filmed it when I was 18 and so I feel like I was just taking in everything. Like, I already have all this figured out. And I really didn’t. And it genuinely did like change a lot of my brain chemistry and the way that I just am more actively living and trying.
AUBREY PLAZA: I feel like one of my bigger take aways is just like to remember to follow my own instincts. Because I remember when I read the script for the first time, I cried and it was a very just like visceral reaction to it. And I think sometimes when I’m trying to figure out if I should do a movie or something, it’s like your body kinda knows or something.
I’m just so happy that I’m in the movie and that I ended up doing it and working with these guys, because I felt like my initial instinct about it was like, this could be really good.
I would say it’s another confirmation of just following your instincts and going with it and not worrying about all the other stuff.
