A Different Man : Fantastic Fest Review

Being different in our society, for the most part, is not seen as a good thing. The reason is simple: when you’re different, you stand out and attract attention. While some attention can be positive, most of it tends to be negative. Everyday life for some people can often feel similar to being in high school, especially when you’re not at the top of the social hierarchy. Aaron Schimberg’s new film A Different Man provides a great look at what it means to be different, but as you will find out, it’s not just about what’s on the outside that is important.

Edward (Sebastian Stan) is someone who prefers not to be noticed. While he wishes to stay invisible, he also longs to be normal. However, with his appearance, that can be challenging. Edward suffers from a condition that causes tumors to grow all over his face, yet he tries to live as normal a life as possible. He is an actor, but he’s also the type of person who remains quiet even when someone wrongs him. His life takes a new turn when he meets his neighbor Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), who notices him—but not in the way Edward wants her to. That could change, though, as Edward agrees to participate in a drug trial that promises to cure his facial condition. Slowly, the drug starts to work, and eventually, Edward looks like a normal guy. It doesn’t take long for him to start living the life he thought he had missed. However, as this transformation unfolds, Edward begins to miss his old life—and especially Ingrid, who seems to be drawn to Edward’s former self. Just as things seem to be falling into place for Edward, Oswald (Adam Pearson), someone who resembles how Edward once looked, enters the picture, and Edward’s true self is revealed.

Written by Schimberg, A Different Man balances humor with its darker elements, tackling themes of beauty and identity. The comedy ranges from silly to bleak and surreal, but it’s not all lighthearted, as the film can get quite gloomy at times. The film frequently touches on the concept of playing the role you were born to play, and Schimberg has found the perfect cast to convey this. Stan, in what might be his best performance to date, is excellent, but it’s Pearson who steals the show. Pearson, who actually has the condition portrayed in the film, plays Oswald with confidence, perfectly contrasting the insecure Edward, showing that it’s not what’s on the outside that truly matters. Though the film has some flaws—such as a slightly clunky pace and running a tad too long—these issues don’t hold A Different Man back. It ultimately delivers an intelligent and often funny exploration of what it means to be truly alive.