A Different Man is a 2024 American dark comedy film written and directed by Aaron Schimberg.[1] The story centers on Edward, an aspiring actor living with neurofibromatosis, who undergoes an experimental medical procedure to radically alter his facial appearance in hopes of advancing his career, only for his transformed life to unravel into a nightmare of identity and obsession.[2] Starring Sebastian Stan as Edward, Renate Reinsve as his neighbor and playwright Ingrid, and Adam Pearson as a charismatic figure who complicates Edward's new reality, the film explores themes of beauty, self-perception, and the ethics of physical transformation.[2] Produced by A24, Killer Films, and Grand Motel Films,[3] it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2024, before a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 20, 2024.[4] Critically acclaimed for its bold satire and performances, the film holds a 93% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 190 reviews, praised for its provocative take on societal standards of attractiveness.[1]
Overview
Plot
Edward (Sebastian Stan), an aspiring actor in New York City afflicted with neurofibromatosis that severely disfigures his face, faces constant rejection in auditions due to his appearance. Living a reclusive life in his apartment building, he forms an unlikely friendship with his neighbor Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), a kind-hearted Norwegianplaywright who treats him with empathy, even helping him with personal care tasks. Struggling with isolation and societal prejudice, Edward discovers an experimental treatment advertised as a potential cure and undergoes a radical procedure involving pills that dramatically alters his facial features, erasing the tumors and leaving him with a conventionally attractive appearance. Believing his old life is irredeemable, he fakes his suicide by leaving a note and assumes a new identity as Guy Moratz, cutting ties with his past.[5][6][7]As Guy, he experiences newfound social and professional success, securing a job in real estate and engaging in casual relationships, yet his inner insecurities persist, haunted by memories of his former self and a neighbor's actual suicide that underscores themes of despair tied to appearance. Reuniting with Ingrid at a bar, where she does not recognize him, Guy enters a romantic relationship with her, drawn to her creativity. Unbeknownst to her, Ingrid has been inspired by Edward's presumed suicide to write a play titled Edward, a semi-autobiographical work exploring the life and struggles of a disfigured man, including elements of appropriation from Edward's shared stories. Guy auditions for the lead role, leveraging his intimate knowledge of the character, and initially lands it, but rehearsals introduce Oswald (Adam Pearson), a charismatic and confident actor with neurofibromatosis similar to Edward's old condition, who ultimately replaces Guy in the role due to his authentic embodiment and likability. Oswald's easy rapport with Ingrid fuels Guy's jealousy, straining his relationship as he grapples with the irony of his transformed identity being overshadowed by someone resembling his former self, highlighting tensions between physical appearance and true identity.[5][8][7]Guy's obsession escalates into stalking Oswald, culminating in a disruptive intrusion during a performance of the play, where, disguised in a mask mimicking his old face, he storms the stage and confronts Oswald in a fit of rage, demanding he reveal or remove his disfigurement. Chaos ensues as a large set piece collapses, severely injuring Guy and landing him in a full-body cast under the care of Ingrid and Oswald. During physical therapy, after the therapist makes derogatory comments about Oswald, Guy snaps and stabs him, resulting in his arrest and a lengthy prison sentence. Years later, an aged Edward is released from prison, his face now bearing scars from the accident and time. He reconnects with Oswald and Ingrid, who have married, started a family, and plan to relocate to a commune in Canada seeking a simpler life. At a dinner reunion, as they discuss their paths, Oswald addresses him by his real name, "Edward," implying he has always known Guy's true identity, prompting Edward to smile ambiguously—suggesting a tentative reconciliation with his fractured sense of self amid ongoing questions of authenticity and personal narrative appropriation.[8][7][9]
Cast
The principal cast of A Different Man features a mix of established actors and indie film talents, emphasizing the film's exploration of identity and appearance through character-driven performances.
Edward's neighbor, a playwright who becomes involved in his artistic pursuits.[10][12]
Adam Pearson
Oswald
A charismatic theater enthusiast with neurofibromatosis, physically resembling Edward's former self.[10][13]
Notable supporting roles include Michael Shannon in a cameo appearance as himself, portraying an actor considered for a key part in the story;[14][15] C. Mason Wells as Carl, a colleague in the acting world;[10][16]Owen Kline as Nick, another ensemble member; Charlie Korsmo as Ron Belcher, involved in production aspects; Patrick Wang as the Director, overseeing a theatrical project;[12] Miles G. Jackson as Sean;[17] and Neal Davidson as Corey.[12]Casting for the film involved unique challenges related to physical transformations, particularly for Sebastian Stan's dual portrayal, which required extensive prosthetics designed by Oscar-nominated makeup artist Mike Marino; the process included 3D scans and live casts to authentically depict neurofibromatosis before and after the procedure.[11][18] Adam Pearson was selected for Oswald due to his real-life experience with neurofibromatosis type 1, allowing him to bring authenticity to the character's condition and perspective on visibility in acting.[13][19]
Production
Development
A Different Man was written and directed by Aaron Schimberg, who drew inspiration from his personal experiences living with a corrected bilateral cleft lip and palate, exploring themes of identity, appearance, and societal prejudice. The script originated in part from reflections on his 2018 feature Chained for Life, which featured actor Adam Pearson and faced criticism for casting non-disabled performers in roles involving disability, prompting Schimberg to contrast an actor with a "normal" face (Sebastian Stan) against one with a visible condition (Pearson) to interrogate authenticity and self-perception.[20][21]Development of the screenplay spanned from around 2020 to 2022, building on Schimberg's prior work while incorporating autobiographical elements such as his struggles with facial differences and encounters with transformative medical procedures. Financing came through independentproduction companies, including Killer Films with producers Christine Vachon, Gabriel Mayers, and Vanessa McDonnell of Grand Motel Films, alongside Jason Reif; A24 became involved early as the distributor, supporting the project's move toward production. Sebastian Stan attached himself to the lead role early, accelerating momentum and helping secure further backing.[21][22][23] Wait, no Wikipedia. From IMDb full credits via search: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21097228/fullcreditsKey creative decisions emphasized authenticity, such as casting Pearson, who has neurofibromatosis type 1, in a major role to avoid exploitative portrayals, while drawing influences from David Lynch's The Elephant Man (1980) for its examination of deformity and humanity, blended with existential comedies like those of Charlie Kaufman to infuse dark humor. In interviews, Schimberg has described the film as therapeutic, reflecting his own navigation of prejudice and self-image in New York City, including mundane details like apartment mishaps that informed specific scenes. The screenplay was released publicly in December 2024 ahead of contention for honors like the Oscars.[20][21][24]
Filming
Principal photography for A Different Man commenced in mid-July 2022 in New York City and wrapped after 22 days of shooting. The production adhered to a tight schedule amid ongoing COVID-19 protocols, capturing the film's gritty urban atmosphere primarily in Manhattan's East Village and select Brooklyn sites. Key locations included period apartments on the Upper West Side, black box theaters such as The Public Theater and The Wild Project, the Holiday Cocktail Lounge on St. Marks Place, Riverside Park for outdoor scenes, and constructed sets for the experimental clinic interiors.[25][26][27][28][29]The film's visual style was helmed by cinematographer Wyatt Garfield, who shot on Super 16mm film to evoke a textured, '70s-era New York indie aesthetic that complemented the story's themes of identity and transformation. A major technical challenge involved the practical effects for Sebastian Stan's dual portrayal of Edward before and after his procedure, requiring extensive makeup and prosthetics designed by Oscar-nominated artist Mike Marino. These silicone appliances, which covered Stan's face to simulate neurofibromatosis, took hours to apply daily and demanded adjustments to ensure Stan's expressions and performance remained visible and authentic under the layers.[9][17][11][18][30]To immerse himself in the role, Stan occasionally wore the full prosthetics while navigating New York streets between takes, experiencing firsthand the public's altered perceptions and social dynamics that mirrored his character's struggles. This approach heightened the realism of Edward's isolation without relying on method acting techniques, which Stan has publicly critiqued as potentially disruptive. No reshoots were reported post-production, and the film relied predominantly on practical effects rather than extensive VFX for its transformations.[31][32][33]
Release
Premiere
_A Different Man had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2024, in the Premieres section.[34] The screening was followed by a director Q&A session with Aaron Schimberg, where initial audience reactions highlighted the film's provocative themes of identity and transformation, generating early buzz among festival attendees.[35] Distributed by A24, the film drew attention for its bold storytelling shortly after the premiere.[36]The film continued its festival run with a screening at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2024, marking its European debut.[37] A press conference featuring Schimberg and star Sebastian Stan emphasized the project's exploration of disability and performance, further building anticipation.[38] Subsequent U.S. screenings included the New Directors/New Films series on April 3, 2024, co-presented by the Film at Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art.In spring 2024, the film saw additional international exposure through European festivals, including its Berlin outing, as part of a broader rollout.[39]The film's streaming premiere arrived on Max on January 17, 2025, making it widely accessible following its theatrical run.[40]
Distribution and box office
_A Different Man was released theatrically in the United States by A24 on September 20, 2024, initially in a limited release across four theaters.[41] The film expanded domestically, reaching a maximum of 265 theaters during its run.[22] Internationally, distribution was handled by various companies, including Universal Pictures International in select territories such as Germany and the UK, Mubi for streaming in multiple regions, and others like Rialto Distribution in Australia and New Zealand.[3][42][43]The film underperformed at the box office, grossing $654,254 domestically over its entire run, with an opening weekend of $49,466 from four theaters, averaging $12,367 per screen.[41] Its per-theater average declined in subsequent weeks, reaching $456 by the third weekend across 103 screens, where it earned $46,988.[44] Worldwide, the total gross reached approximately $1.52 million by the end of its theatrical release in early 2025, with international earnings of about $861,746, including $123,751 from Australia and $86,665 from Russia and CIS markets.[41] No significant additional box office revenue was reported in 2025 following the initial run.[22]For home media, the film became available on digital platforms such as iTunes and Amazon Video starting November 5, 2024.[1] Physical releases followed with a Blu-ray edition from A24 on June 17, 2025, including special features in a digipack format.[45] Streaming availability expanded to Max on January 17, 2025, followed by a linear premiere on HBO the next day, contributing to increased viewership metrics in the post-Oscar season period, though specific VOD numbers were not publicly detailed.[46]
Reception
Critical response
A Different Man received widespread acclaim from critics, earning a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 190 reviews, with the site's consensus reading, "Surreal and unsettling, A Different Man overcomes an occasionally tenuous narrative grasp by virtue of its bold, provocative approach to serious themes."[1] On Metacritic, the film holds a score of 78 out of 100 from 44 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews," and reviewers praised its exploration of identity and appearance through a surreal lens.[47] In contrast, audience reception has been more mixed, with an IMDb rating of 6.9 out of 10 from over 35,000 users, highlighting a divide where critics appreciated its thematic depth while some viewers found its tonal shifts challenging.[2]Critics lauded the performances of Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson, with Stan's portrayal of the protagonist Edward earning particular acclaim for its physical and emotional intensity, marking what many called his career-best work.[48] Pearson's charismatic turn as Oswald was frequently highlighted as a standout, bringing warmth and humor to the film's darker elements and providing a counterpoint to Stan's insecurity.[49] Director Aaron Schimberg's handling of identity themes was commended for its boldness, blending body horror with satire to probe societal norms around beauty and normalcy; as Variety noted, the film "asks what it means to be 'normal'" in an "oddball satire" that only A24 would produce.[50] The execution of its dark humor also drew praise, with The Guardian describing it as a "mordant oddity" where "beauty is skin deep" in a surreal dramedy that transforms the transformation theme into biting commentary.[6]However, some reviews pointed to flaws, including pacing issues in the third act, which felt rushed, disjointed, or repetitive to certain critics, disrupting the film's earlier momentum.[51] Others critiqued its overly ambitious satire, arguing that it occasionally overreaches in conveying ideas, leading to a sense of messiness despite its inventiveness.[48]In 2025 retrospectives tied to awards season and its home release on Max, the film gained further attention for its cultural relevance, particularly in representing disability and confronting ableism; one review emphasized how it questions the performance versus lived experience of disfigurement, offering a nuanced look at self-acceptance amid societal biases.[52][53] These discussions underscored the film's role in broader conversations on neurodiversity and identity, though some noted its provocative approach could feel uneven in execution.[54]
Accolades
A Different Man received widespread recognition in the independent film circuit, earning nominations and wins across several prestigious awards ceremonies in 2024 and 2025, particularly for its screenplay, performances, and makeup effects.[55]At the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, held in February 2024, Sebastian Stan won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance for his role as Edward.[56]The film achieved a major indie honor at the 34th Gotham Awards on December 2, 2024, where it won Best Feature.[57] It was nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance (Sebastian Stan) and Outstanding Supporting Performance (Adam Pearson) at the same ceremony.[55]In the 82nd Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2025, A Different Man was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture.[58]Sebastian Stan won Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.[59]The 40th Independent Spirit Awards, held on February 22, 2025, saw nominations for Best Screenplay (Aaron Schimberg) and Best Supporting Performance (Adam Pearson).[60][61]At the 30th Critics' Choice Awards on February 7, 2025, the film received a nomination for Best Hair & Makeup (Mike Marino, Sarah Graalman, Aaron Saucier).[62]For the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, A Different Man was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Mike Marino, David Presto, Crystal Jurado).[63]