A Different Man: a discomfiting but darkly hilarious story of a man with two faces

Aaron Simberg's "A Different Man," a disturbing but darkly funny tale of a man with two faces, one soul and zero games, takes a while to bring up the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. But once it does, it's a poignant reminder that simplistic ideas about the relationship between physical beauty and virtue are instilled in us at an early age and then remain largely undeveloped. Simberg's evil, abhorrent act of ethical blackmail isn't the first film to turn these ideas upside down. But he's one of the first to turn it upside down again, and then a time or two more, until by the end you may be looking in the same direction you started, only now feeling dizzy.

Edward (Sebastian Stan in heavy prosthetics) is a man with neurofibromatosis, a disease that causes tumors to form on the face, severely disfiguring facial features. He's an actor who only appears in cheesy image videos that give employees advice on how to behave around disabled coworkers. "Invite him to a social event," suggests a friendly voiceover. Edward quickly pretends to be uncomfortable in front of the water cooler while telling the fake coworker he's OK and thanking him for asking. People with disabilities are expected to appreciate basic courtesy.

In this respect, Edward is a model of acceptance. Meek and conflict-averse, he avoids humiliating people or being unkind. He lives a seedy life on the edge of New York City, not the cool, bohemian end, but the end with leaky ceilings and hostile neighbors. And yet, no one in Edward's building rolls their eyes at his appearance -- more out of familiarity and a very New Yorker exasperation that says, "Sure, that was tough," than sympathy. Because of your face, but buddy, you don't know my life. But his attractive new neighbor Ingrid (Renate Reinsweg from 2021's The Baddest Man in the World) befriends him, and he responds, falling in love with the failed playwright who doesn't live up to their hopes. He then has a successful experimental treatment, and after a skin-peeling scene that's probably not all that terrifying for anyone who's ever used an exfoliating face mask, Edward looks like Sebastian Stan overnight. Eager to explore previously unimagined opportunities for casual sex and professional success, he calls himself Guy, claims Edward died by suicide, and moves into a better apartment. The film is available to stream on Afdah.live .