‘A Different Man’ Review: A Skin Melting Search For What’s Lost Under The Skin

A smartly constructed thought experiment, A Different Man, revolves around a man who in pursuit of reclaiming the skin, fails to weigh in the ratio of the things lost to things gained. A very dark joke where the protagonist is a seeker and sought but is also baited. It’s a film about dreams turning into nightmares; and as far as corrosive pursuit of beauty is concerned, it would make a neat double feature with The Substance. Read our A Different Man review below.

Aaron Schimberg’s third feature is him walking on a tightrope in terms of challenging the preconceived notions about beauty standards that often overlook the great personality that hides beneath the skin. In the landscape where profound stupidity is sometimes confused with profundity, here’s a screenplay that actually showcases the signs of the frontal lobe being used in its writing.

The movie begins in an Elephant Man-esque fashion, evoking our pity by introducing defaced Edward Lemuel (Sebastian Stan), an aspiring actor, trying to make ends meet in a gritty, slimy New York City. He lives in an apartment with a cracked ceiling. His lively neighbour Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), an aspiring playwriter, a slit that lets some ray of light into his existence. Without succumbing to kitsch sentimentality, we spend time with Edward making his way into the world, and his interactions and feel genuine empathy towards him.

When offered an opportunity to risk side effects in order to reconfigure his face, Edward contemplates and accepts. The skin melts away, out goes Edward and in comes Guy. Guy Moratz, a resurrected alter-ego, is not just different in terms of looks but also features, a radical change in personality. This hope and high only followed by a massive crash, when the reality of his new existence is nothing close to what he expected. Edward, an active seeker, is now also a passive subject of pursuit.

In the meantime, Ingrid develops an interest in Edward, turning her experience into a play, and writing the punchline to the joke. Schimberg takes our pity, sharpens it and keeps transmuting it, as the narrative gets twistier with the introduction of Oswald (Adam Pearson). Oswald, with the same neurofibromatosis condition, oozes charisma and self-confidence to steal a room. The authentic presence of Oswald threatens Guy’s locus in the void, his acting gig, his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, in a play based on a life he abandoned. Guy, an impostor in his own life, Edward’s shyness changed into Guy’s alienation and insecurities. What unfolds is a cosmic joke with a solid punchline, with Guy torn between his obsession and jealousy for what he lost.

The film is not detached from the genre, it plays along the convention only to twist the knife in a bolder, fresh direction. The atmosphere that the film builds is simply engulfing, the noir vibes of New York City are impressively lensed by cinematographer Wyatt Garfield with his 16mm photography. Umberto Smerilli’s jazzy mood-setting score is indubitably this year’s best. To continue the song of praises, Mike Marino’s make-up work also forms an important pillar of the film.

Sebastian Stan’s streak of impressive project selection continues to confound me, alongside his capeshit obligations. While The Apprentice didn’t allow the actors enough material to properly embody their characters, what Jeremy Strong and Stan did with their characters ended up impressing nonetheless. In A Different Man though, Stan embodies his character so well that as a spectator you feel the intensity of emotions he goes through, the empathy you feel till the end is tangible. Renate Reinsve has that dynamic quality of someone who can instantly befriend you, a fun person to chill around. As for Adam Pearson, the man just steals the scene with charms, his charisma is infectious.

All unhappiness in life, Lady Gaga sez, comes from not accepting what it is. While the basic nature of a human being may or may not change, with the rapid personality changes, Schimberg manages to question the very basis of identity, without losing the edge of dark humour.

Watch the trailer for A Different Man below:

A Different Man is directed by Aaron Schimberg, and stars Sebastian Stan as Edward Lemuel / Guy Moratz, Renate Reinsve as Ingrid Vold, and Adam Pearson as Oswald. A Different Man is now available on digital platforms worldwide courtesy of A24.

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