The older Elliott reveals a big part of Chad’s tragic fate to her younger self inMy Old Ass, but she deliberately leaves out a crucial piece of information.My Old Assis a quirky sci-fi spin on a classic coming-of-age comedy. Right before she heads off to college, eager to leave her family farm behind, teenage Elliott takes magic mushrooms and hallucinates an encounter with her 39-year-old self,played by Aubrey Plaza. The older Elliott gives the younger Elliott plenty of advice, like teaching her to appreciate her family, but she also offers a warning.
39-year-old Elliott tells 18-year-old Elliott to stay away from anyone named Chad and to avoid getting into a romantic relationship with anyone named Chad at all costs. Days later, she meets a guy named Chad and he turns out to be a really nice person. Although she initially tries to follow her older self’s advice, she finds herself quickly falling for Chad. Eventually, the older Elliott reveals why she wants her younger self to stay away from Chad, but she leaves out a key part of his future.
It’s Pointless Because She Can’t Save Him
Throughout the whole movie, both 18-year-old Elliott and the audience are looking out for something wrong with Chad, or a sign that he’ll do something bad in the future, but he seems genuinely great. When pressed,39-year-old Elliott reveals that there’s nothing wrong with Chad — he’s perfect — which will make it all the more devastating when he diesand she can never move on. Elliott reveals that Chad’s death will be really heartbreaking, but she doesn’t say how he’ll die. It’s pointless, because she says, “You can’t save him.”
Where Was My Old Ass Filmed? Aubrey Plaza Comedy’s Filming Locations Explained
My Old Ass is a heartwarming coming of age movie that was filmed completely on location against the beautiful backdrop of Muskoka Lakes, Canada.
If Elliott had revealed how Chad dies, then the audience might’ve focused on the wrong thingor taken away the wrong message. If she revealed that he died in a car accident or something similarly specific, the audience might’ve fixated on different ways that Elliott could save him when the time comes. But that would miss the point of the story.The ending ofMy Old Assis really about how even the worst parts of life are still worth living to get to the best parts. Keeping Chad’s cause of death a secret maintains that dramatic focus.
If It Was Anything Else, She Might Be Able To Save Him
AlthoughMy Old Assnever reveals how Chad dies, it does hint at his cause of death. The older Elliott’s claim that “you’re able to’t save him” suggests thateven if the younger Elliott were to know how he died, she couldn’t prevent it. This could mean that he gets cancer or some other terminal illness and dies in some way that she really can’t step in to prevent.
My Old Ass
Cast
My Old Ass follows Elliott, who encounters her future 39-year-old self during a transformative summer marked by introspection and discovery. Celebrating her 18th birthday, Elliott’s psychedelic experience prompts her to reevaluate her ideals on family and love as her older self offers sage advice and warnings.
