The story of a severely disfigured man who gets a chance for a new, better life. However, after a complete surgical reconstruction, which turns him into a "Different Person", he paradoxically discovers that he may have been better before. Aaron Schimberg's black comedy became a festival hit at this year's Sundance and Berlinale.
Edward (Sebastian Stan) is a lively actor, whose face, disfigured by a serious illness, helps him to get occasional roles. He's long since gotten used to being viewed as a monster by most, yet he's glad that there are people who are more interested in his nature than his appearance. Such is, for example, the slightly eccentric neighbor Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), a novice theater director whose ambition is to write a play about Edward and his life.
This changes radically when Edward decides to undergo an experimental surgical procedure that promises to make him "a different person". And literally. The operation goes well beyond expectations, and Edward suddenly looks like a completely ordinary middle-aged American. However, he soon discovers that the loss of exceptionality, even if perceived by those around him rather negatively, is more missing than he expected. The change, which was supposed to be for the better, sends him on a life path that ends in the station "Everything is wrong".
Actor Sebastian Stan received the main acting award at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival for his role as Edward. “You rarely come across a script where you have no idea what will surprise you on the next page. I thought that if I could transfer this principle of surprise to my performance, it would be interesting," comments the actor.
Genre
Thriller
Original title
A Different Man
Year
2024
Director
Aaron Schimberg
Screenplay
Aaron Schimberg
Play
Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson, Miles G. Jackson