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A Different Man

A Different Man is a 2024 American dark comedy psychological thriller film written and directed by Aaron Schimberg.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A Different Man is a 2024 American dark comedy psychological thriller film written and directed by Aaron Schimberg. It stars Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson, and follows an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis whose life changes after an experimental procedure alters his appearance.

Plot

The film follows Edward, an aspiring actor whose facial differences from neurofibromatosis shape his life and career. After an experimental procedure changes his appearance, he finds that his new identity brings unexpected complications and obsessions.

Cast

Sebastian Stan plays Edward, with Renate Reinsve as Ingrid and Adam Pearson as Oswald. The principal cast is consistently identified across major film listings and reviews.

Release

A Different Man premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2024. It later screened at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2024. The film was theatrically released in the United States by A24 on September 20, 2024.

Reception

Critical coverage described the film as a darkly comic and psychologically layered work, with attention to its themes of identity, appearance, and self-perception. Sebastian Stan’s performance at Berlin earned the festival’s Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance.

Key facts

  • A Different Man is a 2024 dark comedy psychological thriller directed by Aaron Schimberg.
  • The film stars Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson.
  • It premiered at Sundance in January 2024 and was released theatrically in the U.S. on September 20, 2024.
  • Sebastian Stan won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance at the Berlin International Film Festival.
  • The story follows an actor with neurofibromatosis who undergoes an experimental face-altering procedure.
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Canadian context

The film was widely reviewed in Canadian and international film coverage and is relevant to Canadian readers through its festival run, theatrical distribution, and coverage in the broader North American film market.

Frequently asked questions

What is A Different Man about?
It follows an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis who undergoes an experimental procedure to change his face, only to encounter new problems tied to identity and self-image.
Who directed A Different Man?
Aaron Schimberg wrote and directed the film.
Who stars in A Different Man?
The film stars Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson.
When was A Different Man released?
It premiered at Sundance in January 2024 and was released theatrically in the United States on September 20, 2024.
What award did Sebastian Stan win for the film?
He won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Different_Man
    Supports: Basic film identification, cast, plot, festival premiere, Berlin screening, award, and U.S. release date.
  2. A24 — https://www.a24films.com/films/a-different-man
    Supports: Official synopsis and distributor information.
  3. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/19/movies/a-different-man-review.html
    Supports: Plot details and critical description of the film's themes.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-different-man-film-review
    Supports: Critical description of the film's premise and themes.