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In an era where films are creatively bankrupt, it’s a triumph to develop a unique project. Sequels and remakes have bloated Hollywood so much that filmgoers are constantly on the prowl for something that stimulates their imaginations and leaves them wonderfully confused.

Director Aaron Schimberg and production company A24 accomplished this feat with their new project, “A Different Man.” Starring Sebastian Stan, the film follows the life of Edward, a struggling actor living in New York City, who has facial deformities.

Upon forming a relationship with his playwright neighbor, Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), he opts to undergo facial reconstructive surgery to fit in with society. He foregoes his state as Edward and becomes Guy, an unassuming real estate mogul who lives a completely normal life.

However, his new life gets thrown in a loop when he sees Ingrid’s new play titled “Edward.” The play is supposed to star a man with deformities living in NYC based on him. He auditions for the part and develops a more intimate relationship with Ingrid.

All of this changes when another person with facial deformities named Oswald (Adam Pearson) comes into the picture. Oswald is the embodiment of everything Edward could never be. He exudes confidence and is comfortable in his own skin. Seeing Oswald overtake not only his new normal life but also overshadow the life he left behind sends Guy into a frenzy of jealousy and self-loathing.

After integrating his way into the play, Oswald ends up replacing Guy as the lead — and as Ingrid’s lover. This furthers Guy’s hatred and jealousy toward Oswald, as he begins to question his entire decision to go through the operation. Guy spirals out of control and goes down a path of self-destruction, ruining the calm, normal life he had built for himself.

The movie is aware of its quirky and introspective identity while maintaining its witty and delightful appeal. “A Different Man” is not only a wonderful film, but one that signifies the correct direction for cinema.

Long gone are the works of artists like David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick, but this film is so immersed in their teachings that it is almost more “Lynchian,” a film that juxtaposes surreal and sinister themes with daily environments. “A Different Man” goes in its own direction, one that is out of the viewer’s imagination.

The movie is so beautifully strange and structured in such an interesting way that the audience can’t help but enjoy it. Edward transforms from having deformities to a conventionally attractive man, then becomes jealous of a man with the same deformities he once had. The film develops his own story by layering other characters within it.

Along with the interesting plot structure, the film is a technical masterpiece. The cinematography is gritty, the score is dark and the makeup and the writing are beyond comparison. Few films have such quick yet impactful dialogue that allows for the actors to embody their characters. The subtleness of Edward’s words allows the audience to understand his timid nature. Conversely, Oswald’s dialogue is larger than life just like himself, seamlessly painting him as the foil to Edward.

This is especially true for Stan, who is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood today. He plays the character in a way that viewers can see the emotional battle he has within himself, cleverly toeing the line between Edward and Guy is nothing short of extraordinary.

Yet, the unsung hero of the movie is Pearson. He is a breath of fresh air in a movie with an overall dark tone. Pearson’s Oswald captures the antithesis of Stan’s Edward, perfectly portraying the man that Edward always yearned to be but couldn’t because he could not find the confidence.

While this movie will likely be swept under the rug and not receive recognition at the upcoming Academy Awards, I will not soon forget it. It’s films like these that restore hope for the future of movies. With “A Different Man,” Schimberg and A24 reinsert imagination into the world of entertainment.

Published on October 8, 2024 at 11:26 pm