In “A Different Man”, Sebastian Stan plays Edward, an actor with neurofibromatosis (NF1), a genetic condition that develops tumors and skin bumps all over a person’s face and body. Edward has so much to aspire to but so little to do because of his appearance. When an opportunity knocks to surgically fix this, unmasking his face from someone with NF1 to… Sebastian Stan, he will soon realize that the burden and dread will not escape him as much as he wants to.
The fun in watching “A Different Man” is realizing there’s more to it than what you pay for. I’ve only scratched the first 30 minutes of this film, up until Edward comes to terms with his newfound face. The opening moments were already bizarre in itself, an atmospherically dreadful drama that’s reminiscent of New York indie projects from the ‘70s. But what comes after gets increasingly unhinged where Edward goes on a zany run driven by insecurities and hopelessness.
Sebastian Stan greatly encapsulates this journey. Between Edward and playing Donald Trump in “The Apprentice”, it’s fair to say that he’s one of the most exciting actors to come out of the Marvel Studios crop. Stan effectively delivers the uneasy and chaotic energy needed to portray Edward. Stan’s co-star Adam Pearson was also surprisingly well, as was “The Worst Person in the World” breakout Renate Reinsve who played Edward’s friend next door.
“A Different Man” touches on duality and the dangers of escaping the intricacies of life. It’s a morally complex and heavy subject matter, but the film got away with it with a hilarious punch.
“A Different Man” will be shown in New Zealand cinemas
starting October 24.
Featured images courtesy of A24.
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