Charming Coming-of-Age Drama 'Their Town' Explores Identity and Friendship

Director Katie Aselton's film, written by her husband Mark Duplass, features a warm New England backdrop and a standout performance by their daughter Ora Duplass.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:50pm

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Between exploring new interests, engaging with new styles and making new friends, our young years are a searching pursuit of identity, and thus one of cinema's enduring topics. That quest is very much at the heart of director Katie Aselton's lovely coming-of-age drama 'Their Town,' a familiar yet cozily comforting film about the soulful kinships that emerge when we least expect them, enriching our world in ways that are permanent and singular.

Why it matters

With a charming New England backdrop, 'Their Town' nods to Richard Linklater's 'Before' trilogy, exploring the ordinary moments that shape young lives and the meaning found in small-town connections. The film highlights how young instincts can sometimes be wiser than adult perspectives.

The details

The story follows Abby, played by Ora Duplass, whose boyfriend Tyler exits the school play they're co-leading. Abby is paired with Matt instead, and the two decide to spend time after school practicing their parts. As Abby navigates her relationship with her protective mother Janet, she and Matt develop an unforced chemistry, exploring the town and their pasts over confessional conversations. While the film stumbles a bit when introducing a mental illness angle for Matt, it finds its footing through the exceptional performances and Aselton's sharp direction.

  • The film is set in the present day in the town of Bangor, Maine.

The players

Katie Aselton

The director of 'Their Town,' known for her work in independent film and television.

Mark Duplass

The screenwriter of 'Their Town' and Aselton's husband.

Ora Duplass

The lead actress in 'Their Town,' playing the role of Abby, and the daughter of Katie Aselton and Mark Duplass.

Chosen Jacobs

The actor who plays the role of Matt, Abby's co-star in the school play.

Kim Shaw

The actress who plays the role of Janet, Abby's protective mother.

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What they’re saying

“I am my own person.”

— Abby

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

With its warm New England setting and focus on the ordinary moments that shape young lives, 'Their Town' is a charming coming-of-age tale that explores the power of friendship and the wisdom of youth, even as it stumbles a bit in its handling of a mental illness storyline.