X
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- R
- Volga
- 1 h 52 m
- 2024
- R
- Volga
- 1 h 52 m
Summary Aspiring actor Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. But his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost.
Directed By: Aaron Schimberg
Written By: Aaron Schimberg
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- R
- Volga
- 1 h 52 m
- 2024
- R
- Volga
- 1 h 52 m
A Different Man
78
5.9
Where to Watch
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Summary Aspiring actor Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. But his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost.
Directed By: Aaron Schimberg
Written By: Aaron Schimberg
Where to Watch
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 43 Critic Reviews
78
81% Positive
35 Reviews
35 Reviews
19% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 43 Critic Reviews
78
81% Positive
35 Reviews
35 Reviews
19% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Different by name and different by nature, A Different Man is one of the most original films of the year. Not since the days of Charlie Kaufman, with his brilliant scripts for meta-movies Being John Malkovich, Adaptation and Synecdoche, New York, has there been anything this bonkers.
By refracting Brian De Palma’s self-reflexiveness and the Coen brothers’ mordant fatalism through the prism of his most personal obsessions, Schimberg creates a house of mirrors so brilliant and complex that it becomes impossible to match any of his characters to their own reflections, and absolutely useless to reduce the movie around them to the stuff of moral instruction.
While the ending loses steam as “Different Man” gets in its own bizarre head, the film maintains a certain heady, psychological trippiness.
Come to this clever satire for Sebastian Stan’s radical transformation, beyond the prosthetics, but stay for Adam Pearson’s remarkable performance as a bona fide matinée idol.
By Iana Murray
FULL REVIEW
Part of what’s refreshing about “A Different Man,” though, is that it never condescends to Edward—never treats him as magical or noble, the way many films do in depicting characters with disabilities.
There are a lot of ideas churning around in this intriguing but scattershot picture, which veers into the surreal and macabre in its quest to explore themes of identity, authenticity and the nature of beauty. Not all of it lands successfully, particularly in the increasingly agitated and fragmented second half.
A Different Man is a slog, made worse by the fact that it seems to mistake darkness for insight.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 27 User Ratings
5.9
63% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
11% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
26% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 27 User Ratings
5.9
63% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
11% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
26% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
An actor with a facial disfigurement (Sebastian Stan) has a medical procedure performed that allows his face to heal and appear more conventional. Soon, he finds himself gearing up to take part in a play about his life until the arrival of another actor with a similar disfigurement (Adam Pearson) inexplicably upends his life and seemingly steals his popularity and success. Written and directed by Aaron Schimberg, this is a surreal, almost satirical look at appearance standards in Hollywood, not quite unlike the recently released 'The Substance'. The elements and themes throughout are almost reminiscent of a Charlie Kaufman film, with many scenes surreally and hilariously blurring the lines between real and dream-like. Additionally, Stan gives arguably his best performance to date here, and Pearson is a charming and charismatic scene-stealer in the film's second half. Throw in an unexpected Michael Shannon cameo towards the end, and you've got one bizarre yet somehow amusing jab at the appearance-obsessed world that we seemingly live in. It's a film that cleverly reminds us that success and appearance don't necessarily go hand in hand.
Report
Sebastian Stan plays an actor with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that produces benign skin tumors all over his face. After undergoing facial-reconstructive surgery, he gets the opportunity to play himself in a play. Complications arise when a man who still has the condition shows up (Adam Pearson). This is an unusual film in subject and execution. Stan does a fine job and Pearson is delightful, but the story has muddled moments that seem facile or confusing. The script by Aaron Schimberg (who also directed) sometimes feels more manipulative than realistic. He's trying too hard, but the direction lacks any bite. The film ends up being a surface satire about one man's obsession that's sometimes mildly provocative.
Report
Production Company
A24,
Grand Motel Films,
Killer Films
Release Date Sep 20, 2024
Duration 1 h 52 m
Rating R
Awards
Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Berlin International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Gotham Awards
• 2 Nominations