A Different Man 2024

Aspiring actor Edward has been living a life of seclusion when playwright Ingrid moves in next door. Edward falls for Ingrid, who, of course, is way out of his league – so far, so romcom, right?  

Things begin to take a turn when Edward learns of a drug trial that may reverse the effects of his neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic condition that causes excess body tissue to grow, predominantly on his face. Dreaming of a new life, an aspiration of becoming someone he imagines to be “normal”, he jumps at the opportunity. Following nights of anguish as Edward’s tumours peel from his face like bubble-gum, he emerges completely unrecognisable, anonymous, a man transformed. 

With his newfound freedom, Edward can slip in amongst the crowd, stumbling into a drunken sexual encounter with a stranger, testing the limits of his new identity. While his new looks give him a brief bout of confidence, the shine soon wears off as old habits prove to die hard. 

In a cast boasting festival favourite Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World, 2021; Armand, NZIFF 2024) and Marvel man Sebastian Stan, it’s Adam Pearson (himself born with neurofibromatosis) as Oswald who steals the show in a third act cameo that proves to be the tipping point for Edward’s spiralling mental state. Oswald might resemble Edward’s pre-procedure physical form, but he’s otherwise the polar opposite: confident, braggadocios, nauseatingly full of charm. 

Deliciously discomforting and full of awkward provocations, director Aaron Schimberg never shies away from holding a mirror to our own internal prejudices in this deeply twisted, nightmarish satire. — Matt Bloomfield

"Aaron Schimberg's A Different Man throws away the kid gloves to unpack the complicated ways in which contemporary society responds to disability." — Marshall Shaffer, Slant Magazine