A Different Man is a dark comedy that blends body horror, science fiction and romance.
Set against the backdrop of a harsh, unforgiving New York City, the story follows Edward (Sebastian Stan), a socially withdrawn would-be actor with a craniofacial condition. His life is bleak; he lives in a rundown apartment with no friends. The state of his apartment, particularly the festering hole in the ceiling, symbolises his inner turmoil.
Edward befriends his new neighbour, playwright Ingrid (Renate Reinsv) who shows him kindness. After undergoing an experimental procedure that transforms his appearance, he adopts the new identity of Guy. He leaves his festering apartment
and Ingrid, to start a new life filled with everything he dreamed of – success, money and belonging. However, when he discovers Ingrid has written a play based on Edward’s life, he is forced to confront his past.
Despite his outward success, Guy’s internal conflict resurfaces when Oswald, played by Adam Pearson who lives with neurofibromatosis, steps in to take the lead in Ingrid’s play. Oswald’s self-confidence and honesty challenge Edward, whose inability to reconcile his new life with his old one makes him spiral. What follows is a series of events with unexpected consequences.
The performances are stunning and the way it’s filmed is really clever. For example, the arrival of the charismatic Oswald shifts the tone of the film, giving us permission to laugh, even in the darkness. This deliberate tactic demonstrates how our behaviour affects those around us, connecting us more deeply with the characters and the story.
At its core, A Different Man explores how we present ourselves compared to who we truly are. It is a haunting exploration of identity and self-acceptance. This deeply moving film has a psychological complexity that will leave you thinking about it long after it’s ended.