My Old Ass Ending Explained: Was Older Elliot Just a Vision and What Becomes of Chad

The movie My Old Ass brings a unique twist to the coming-of-age genre by following the story of a teenage girl named Elliot who ends up meeting an older version of herself after trying out drugs. Through their conversations, the younger Elliot starts to uncover several truths about her future.

Although the film is largely positioned as a romantic comedy, it also presents several mysteries that spark curiosity. The story invites viewers into Elliot’s emotional and psychological development as she interacts with the version of herself from decades ahead.

Megan Park, who earlier gained acclaim for directing The Fallout in 2021, has returned with My Old Ass as her next feature film. Although the movie may not dominate the 2024 box office, it has earned widespread praise from critics.

As a Canadian film that carries strong emotional undertones, My Old Ass leaves the door open for different interpretations of its conclusion, especially concerning time, destiny, and personal growth, making it a film that stays with audiences long after the credits roll.

What Happens In The Ending Of My Old Ass

Elliot’s Encounter With Her Future Self

As the weeks before college begin to narrow, Elliot finds herself unexpectedly meeting her older self and eventually crossing paths with a boy named Chad. Even after old Elliot warns her to stay away from him, Elliot still goes on to develop romantic feelings for Chad.

The situation becomes even more emotionally charged considering that Elliot had previously accepted herself as a lesbian. With this in mind, her attraction to Chad leads to fresh questions about her sexual identity, stirring inner conflict as she reevaluates her past and present beliefs.

Although much of the final part of the movie focuses on their growing connection, tension builds when old Elliot reappears with a major revelation. She explains that she and Chad once stayed together, but his life was cut short soon afterward.

She further reveals that his death could not be stopped and that it caused long-lasting emotional pain. Despite all of this, Elliot chooses to remain with Chad and leaves for college, accepting the heartbreak that may follow because of how deeply she values their relationship.

Is Old Elliot Real Or Just A Hallucination?

Was It All In Elliot’s Mind?

A major question that hovers as the movie wraps up is whether Elliot was genuinely interacting with her future self. Since their first conversation happens after Elliot takes drugs, it raises doubts about the authenticity of old Elliot.

The idea that this might be a hallucination is supported by later scenes where Elliot imagines herself as Justin Bieber—another moment triggered by drugs—implying that the older version of her might only exist in her imagination. Adding to this is the fact that none of Elliot’s friends can see the older version of her, which makes her presence seem even more questionable.

However, the fact that old Elliot appears even after the drug effects have passed suggests a more mysterious layer. She makes comments and predictions that end up proving accurate, something unlikely if she were only a vision.

Another point is that Elliot isn’t able to bring her older self back even after taking more drugs, which hints that the experience may not be just drug-induced. Toward the final scenes, Chad actually sees old Elliot, reinforcing the idea that her presence might be real. The movie does not offer a concrete answer, instead allowing the possibility to remain open-ended.

Chad’s Fate After The Movie

What Eventually Happens To Him?

From the beginning, old Elliot is strongly opposed to the younger Elliot dating Chad. Even before the two meet, Elliot’s future self insists that she avoid any romantic entanglement with him.

But Elliot follows her heart, choosing to pursue a relationship despite the warnings. The reason for the old Elliot’s caution only becomes clear toward the end—Chad is destined to die young, and this knowledge left a deep impact on her.

Although old Elliot never explains the exact cause of Chad’s death, she does make it clear that his passing is inevitable. One theory among viewers is that Chad might die from cancer. Earlier in the movie, Chad expresses interest in studying cancer, mentioning that his grandfather passed away due to the illness.

Since certain types of cancer can be hereditary, this detail seems to serve as subtle foreshadowing. Still, this remains a theory, as the movie doesn’t confirm the exact circumstances of his death—only that it’s certain to happen.

My Old Ass Highlights Elliot’s Process Of Understanding Herself

Her Growth Is Central To The Plot

At its heart, My Old Ass focuses on Elliot’s process of understanding herself more deeply. The movie comes to play just before she’s set to begin college, marking a crucial period in her development.

Her future self, played by Aubrey Plaza, appears to act as a symbolic representation of what lies ahead. Through their interactions, Elliot begins to reflect on what kind of person she might become and starts embracing different aspects of her identity.

Much of this internal journey is tied to Elliot’s sexuality. Despite identifying as a lesbian throughout most of the movie, she still falls for Chad, which causes her distress. This experience forces her to reconsider how she views identity and the labels associated with it.

Through an open and honest conversation with her friend, Elliot realises that self-acceptance doesn’t always mean fitting neatly into one category. This moment helps her come to peace with her own evolving feelings.

The True Meaning Behind My Old Ass’ Ending

A Reflection On Love And Emotional Risk

Although the story carries several themes, one of its strongest emotional threads is the idea that even short-lived love can be worth long-term emotional pain. Elliot is fully aware that being with Chad might bring her heartbreak in the future, but she chooses to love him anyway.

For her, the memories and feelings they share outweigh the sorrow that is yet to come. That belief defines the emotional weight of her journey, and it’s what gives the ending its emotional power. Despite knowing what’s in store, Elliot does not run from it. Her decision shows how she values the experience of love, even if it ends in grief.

This message is quietly woven through her conversations with her older self, and it becomes clear that Elliot grows stronger not by avoiding pain, but by facing it head-on. That acceptance of both joy and sorrow is what defines her by the time the credits roll.