One of the most anticipated films at Fantastic Fest 2024 was the new A24 production, A Different Man. Written and directed by Aaron Schimberg (Chained for Life, Go Down Death), the film centers on an aspiring actor named Edward who has neurofibromatosis, which causes benign tumors to grow on the nervous system and skin. After undergoing a radical procedure that drastically alters his appearance and leaving his old life behind, Edward becomes obsessed with a play based on his former life and the man playing him.

Schimberg combines body horror, dark humor, and suspense to create a modern noir thriller. A Different Man begins by introducing the audience to Edward before his procedure. It shows him struggling to find acting jobs, being stared at and ridiculed by passersby, and generally turning inward to hide himself from the world and his own self-loathing. When Edward meets his new neighbor, a lovely woman who is an aspiring playwright, Edward begins to fall for her and imagine what life could be like with her. After undergoing the experimental medical procedure and waking up with a whole new face, Edward decides to pretend the man he was is dead, assuming a new identity, new job, and getting a new place. Some time later, he learns his old neighbor wrote a play based on his old life. It’s the perfect role for Edward, but he no longer has the physical attributes for the character. When Oswald, another actor with neurofibromatosis, shows up and gradually takes over the role, Edward spirals out of control.

The root of Edward’s obsession with Oswald and resentment is because Oswald is everything Edward couldn’t be before his procedure. He’s confident, friendly, outgoing, and generally just a great guy. Edward’s descent into madness is a truly wild ride that keeps audiences guessing. It’s an often comical story with plenty of intrigue that emphasizes the importance of self-love. Edward saw himself as a monster, so that’s how the rest of the world viewed him. Oswald saw himself as just another person, making him less closed off to others so they could see he’s really a wonderful person. The slow building of suspense, punctuated by humorous moments and unexpected twists, is further enhanced by some truly enraging moments. Most of this revolves around Edward refusing to confront his former neighbor or tell anyone the truth of his identity. Many viewers, including myself, are sure to want to yell at the screen in frustration over Edward’s decisions, which only makes the tension that much more palpable.

A Different Man includes some of the most phenomenal performances of the year. Sebastian Stan (Fresh, The Covenant) stars as Edward. Stan is a force of nature in this film. He plays pre-procedure Edward in a way the oozes shyness, discomfort, and awkwardness. This is done not just through his line delivery, but the way he carries himself also speaks to the character’s self-loathing and wishing to disappear into the crowd. After the procedure, Stan completely changes his physicality, exuding confidence. Yet after meeting Oswald, the audience sees Edward driven mad by his internal identity crisis, allowing Stan to show just how vast his range is. Adam Pearson (Under the Skin, Chained for Life) plays Oswald. Oswald is everything Edward couldn’t be, and Pearson absolutely knocks this performance out of the park. He’s the ultimate extrovert, living life to the fullest and making friends wherever he goes. Even when Edward is treating him horribly, Pearson makes it clear Oswald has a huge heart and cares about this new friend. The two actors offer beautiful opposing performances dripping with tension, often making the audience wonder if Oswald is really that nice of a guy or if maybe he knows the truth about Edward and is savoring the psychological torture. Another great performance comes from Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World) as neighbor and playwright, Ingrid. She grounds the film with a performance that fluctuates between empathetic and arrogant.

One can’t discuss A Different Man without highlighting the brilliantly stunning practical effects. The makeup effects team did an amazing job creating the face for Edward, making it look incredibly realistic. Even during the transitional scenes after Edward goes through the procedure, the transformation as the character looks more and more like Sebastian Stan is haunting. These transitional scenes also allow for a healthy injection of body horror, even showcasing gruesome effects as Edward rips away his own flesh. Other sights and sounds help to create the noir vibes of A Different Man. As soon as the film begins, the tone is set with a grainy texture on screen, a somewhat muted color palette, and a brilliant noir-style score by Umberto Smerilli (The Bunker Game). Even Edward’s pre-procedure wardrobe looks more like an outfit a man would wear in the 1950’s. After the procedure, Edward’s wardrobe plays a vital role in conveying his state of mind as he goes from confident new man, to trying to be Edward again, to attempting to be more like Oswald. It all adds to the intrigue in an understated yet striking manner.

A Different Man is a tense, modern noir thriller weaving dark comedy and body horror throughout to tell a unique, engrossing tale. Schimberg is a singular filmmaker with a striking style and the ability to tell fascinating stories about complicated characters. It’s a suspenseful ride that takes the audience to unexpected places, all while incorporating gorgeous visuals and music. Both Stan and Pearson are absolute show-stoppers in their respective roles, expertly bringing the characters to life. Be sure to see A Different Man on the big screen when it hits theaters on October 4, 2024.

OVERALL RATING: 9/10