Adam Pearson and Sebastian Stan in a still from ‘A Different Man’
| Photo Credit: YouTube/ A24
Sebastian Stan takes on a transformative role in the trailer for A Different Man, where his character, Edward, grapples with the consequences of drastic change. Edward, who suffers from facial neurofibromatosis, sees his deformity as a barrier to his self-confidence. He leads a reclusive life, finding solace only in his new neighbor, Ingrid, played by Renate Reinsve.
Edward’s life takes a dramatic turn when he opts for an experimental drug that promises to “heal” his condition. The transformation brings him immediate benefits, including newfound popularity at work. Owen Kline’s character, Nick, humorously refers to Edward as “this piece of man candy” while holding a cutout of his transformed visage.
However, the trailer hints at darker undertones. Edward’s interactions with Oswald, portrayed by Adam Pearson, become increasingly tense. In one intense scene, Edward grabs Oswald’s face, screaming, “Take yours off!”.
The film’s official synopsis describes Edward as an aspiring actor who undergoes a radical medical procedure to transform his appearance. However, his “dream face quickly turns into a nightmare,” as he becomes obsessed with reclaiming his lost identity.
Writer-director Aaron Schimberg, speaking with The Hollywood Reporter at Sundance, shared insights into Pearson’s role. Having worked with Pearson in the 2019 film Chained for Life, Schimberg noted that Pearson’s character in that film led viewers to believe he was as shy as his on-screen persona, a stark contrast to his real-life charisma. In A Different Man, Schimberg aimed to showcase Pearson’s versatility with a character on the “opposite end” of the personality spectrum, describing Oswald as “a very gregarious character.”
A Different Man is set to hit theaters on September 20.
