Title: A Different Man
MPA Rating: R
Director: Aaron Schimberg
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

What It Is: Edward (Stan) is a man born with a facial malformation, living each day with this disfigurement. He is typically soft-spoken and keeps to himself. When he undergoes an experimental procedure to correct his condition, it is successful, giving Edward a new life. However, in leaving his old life behind, he also leaves behind his former neighbor, a beautiful young playwright named Ingrid (Reinsve). Now, the once-aspiring actor has become a successful real estate agent. But when Ingrid writes a play with a main character inspired by Edward, the man he used to be begins to resurface.

What We Think: Sebastian Stan is absolutely wonderful and unhinged in this role. He starts as a quiet, reserved man and evolves into a handsome but insecure “normal” person, essentially playing two characters at once. Adam Pearson’s charisma as Oswald is off the charts, while Renate Reinsve skillfully walks a tightrope, making us both like and hate her character at the same time.

This movie is honestly incredible. It’s an exploration of identity and a discussion on the nature of confidence and insecurity. It also bravely tackles the theme of body dysmorphia, all handled with skill and sensitivity. Much of this is thanks to director Aaron Schimberg, who has a history of working with Adam Pearson and addressing similar topics.

What’s clear is that the studio, A24, continues to make bold choices, producing whatever they want—and, more often than not, it turns out fantastic.

Our Grade: A, I walked out of this one questioning my own views about my appearance. Perhaps that self-reflection, that mirror to oneself, was kind of the point. My good friend Rendy pointed out, and I laughed when he did, that this film is chronically New York. Several scenes had a dry humor that, if you’ve never been to New York or grown up in a big city, you might not fully get. Definitely check this one out—it’s worth a watch and might even have you questioning your own body image, which is such an interesting conversation to have with yourself.