Sebastian Stan Shines in A24’s Unsettling A Different Man - Review

Aaron Schimberg’s A Different Man pushes boundaries with complex characters.

Every now and then, one of those movies comes along that’s incredibly frustrating, but by being frustrating, you know, it’s doing something right. ‘A Different Man,’ the new A24 film from writer and director Aaron Schimberg, is a dark comedy that hits all the right notes

Sebastian Stan stars as Edward, a man with extreme facial disfigurement.

Edward is soft-spoken and timid, preferring not to interact with the world around him. When Edward’s physician refers him to a new experimental treatment that results in Edward’s face miraculously healing, it takes some adjusting as he gets used to his new mug. Edward develops a fascination with Oswald (Adam Pearson), a man with similar facial disfigurement who plays Edward’s role in a play based on his life.

On the most basic level, it’s a “grass is always greener on the other side” sort of situation as Edward finds things to love about his new life, while still missing the old. However, there’s much more to Edward. His interactions with the world are complex. The depth Stan brings to the character is quite brilliant.

It’s the way that Edward doesn’t do what the audience thinks or expects him to that can make the film frustrating from a viewer’s perspective. But these same frustrations are what makes the film interesting.

Pearson’s Oswald is the version of himself that Edward wished he could have been prior to his treatment. He’s charming, charismatic, and outgoing, much to Edward’s dismay. The way their relationship plays out continuously catches you off guard while keeping you engaged. Renate Reinsve plays Ingrid, Edwards’s former neighbor and current playwright.

Reinsve captured audiences in the 2021 Norwegian film ‘The Worst Person in the World’ and ‘A Different Man’ serves as her American acting debut. Reinsve is a wonderful presence and serves as a fascinating connector between Edward and Oswald.

The film’s New York setting is appropriately gritty and dismal, adding to the tone of the film. The cramped apartments and small theaters help create the proper feel for Edward’s emotional cage he confines himself in. Schimberg’s writing is to be commended.

Verdict

‘A Different Man’ might not leave you feeling charmed or satisfied, but its fascinating characters and expert writing will still make you feel something. This is another win from A24.