Megan Park finds joy in seeing how much older audiences appreciate “My Old Ass.”

The writer and director’s latest coming-of-age dramedy has a quirky title but resonates across different generations. After its debut at Sundance Film Festival, Park was approached by men in their seventies expressing their affection for the tale of a teenage girl who encounters her 39-year-old self.

“I didn’t anticipate they would be so touched,” she reflects. Her lead actress, Maisy Stella, often shares reviews from sites like Letterboxd, including sweet messages from audiences noting, ‘Not me and the 65-year-old guy next to me in tears during this film.’”

This emotional connection is the heart of “My Old Ass” (now in theaters), which explores themes of teenage sexuality and family relationships with a unique perspective. Stella portrays Elliott, a young Canadian woman on the verge of adulthood spending her final summer at home. On her 18th birthday, she and her friends venture into the woods for a celebration involving mushrooms. While her friends embark on their own journeys, Elliott finds herself talking to an older version of herself (played by Aubrey Plaza) sitting on a log.

The two form a summer friendship, filled with text messages and phone calls. Teen Elliott is curious about her future, while the older version advises her to cherish time with her family and warns her about someone named Chad. Young Elliott identifies as a lesbian but begins to question her sexuality after meeting Chad (Percy Hynes White), resulting in a mutual learning experience as one prepares for the future and the other reconciles with her past.

“Reflecting on the past to say something you wished you would have is profoundly human,” Park shares.

The inspiration for “My Old Ass,” produced by Margot Robbie, came to Park while rummaging through her childhood room. She discovered a letter addressed to her future self from summer camp. “It read something like: ‘I’m in seventh grade now. Next summer, I’ll be in eighth grade. Who will I become?’ These deep existential inquiries from a twelve-year-old were funny to me,” she recalls.

Park believes she could have benefited from some wisdom from her future self at 18: “I was clueless back then.” Now, at 38, she successfully channels the voice and culture of younger generations. A former actress known for “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” she made her directorial debut with the 2022 film “The Fallout.”

“Megan writes for Gen Z in a way that feels genuine,” notes Stella, who is 20. “She avoids stereotypical portrayals of teenagers as rude to their parents or glued to their phones.”

“She writes for youth as just people, and to me, Megan’s writing is the gold standard.”

During screenings, Park is eager to gather feedback from audiences of all ages regarding “My Old Ass.” Younger viewers appreciate its realistic dialogue and relatable themes, particularly around issues of queerness and the anxiety of leaving home.

For older attendees, there’s a nostalgic sense of yearning that evokes emotions not felt at eighteen. “There’s a profound sadness mixed with happiness,” says Park.

One poignant moment features older Elliott sharing wisdom with her younger self: “The only thing you can’t reclaim is time.” This insight, stemming from her experience as a mother to 4½-year-old Winnie with her husband, musician Tyler Hilton, is deeply personal for Park.

“When I was pregnant, I was warned: ‘Blink and you’ll miss it! Don’t turn away; you’ll turn around and they’ll be ten!’ It’s humorous that it’s advice from older folks, but it rings true,” she adds.

“Ass” marks her return to acting after becoming a mother for the second time, with the birth of her son Bennett in July, which was just two weeks following the passing of her father.

“I found myself on the verge of tears multiple times while watching the film. I thought to myself, ‘I can’t break down in tears during my own movie; that would make me look crazy,’” Park shares, chuckling. “It’s incredible to see how audiences of all generations connect with this film. The concepts of time moving on and feeling regrets resonate universally.”