Who gets to play what parts? The film industry has many roles that make us ask: was this really the best choice for this role? Writer-director Aaron Schimberg’s latest film, A Different Man, looks at these questions through a very dark and absurd comedy, with elements of body horror.
It feels almost as if Charlie Kaufman tried to remake The Fly. A Different Man is very uncomfortable and constantly asks questions, proving to be a bold film that does not go down easily.
What Is A Different Man About?
Sebastian Stan plays Edward, an aspiring actor who feels uncomfortable in his own skin due to his facial disfigurement. He is awkward, and shy, and mostly stays alone in his small, dirty apartment. His new neighbor, Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), is a writer who promises to create a role for Edward in her next play.
Edward decides to join a new medical trial that will supposedly fix his deformity. After some time, pieces of flesh start peeling off his face, and the man underneath now looks like Sebastian Stan.
Later, Edward claims his old self is gone, and he finally has the confidence and appearance he always wanted. He becomes a successful realtor, and his coworker gives him the nickname “Fabio.”
One day, Edward finds out that Ingrid is putting on a play called “Edward,” and the now handsome actor decides to audition for the role based on his former self.
Still from A Different Man (Credit: Grand Motel Films)
While he wins the lead role in this play about his old life—without Ingrid knowing he is her inspiration—he feels challenged by another man, the confident Oswald (Adam Pearson), who helps with the play and looks a lot like the old Edward.
Before his transformation, Edward feels like the world is against him. His ceiling leaks black goo, people stare at him on the subway, and the tumors on his face make it hard for him to hear. In the first part of A Different Man, it almost reminds us of the heavy and oppressive world in Ari Aster’s Beau Is Afraid.
We see Edward’s uncomfortable life through his eyes and feel his constant struggle. Edward’s world is almost too much to handle, with jarring sound design that makes us worry about how his life could get worse.
The first half of Edward’s story feels suffocating, contrasting with Oswald’s life once he arrives. Schimberg’s approach can sometimes feel too harsh to our sympathetic lead, as if he is punishing Edward for mistakes he will make later.
Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson Are Brilliant Together in A Different Man
Stan is excellent as Edward. He hides behind his deformity, which is very different from how Oswald stays positive despite his appearance. This makes Edward a very shy character who mostly wants to avoid the world. Stan’s performance shines during Edward’s transformation.
Even with a handsome face, he still moves through the world as he used to, with slumped shoulders and trying to stay invisible. Even after becoming a new version of himself, his unhappiness comes from new sources, as he starts to retreat into himself again.
Stan shows both sides of Edward with different types of sadness, capturing a person who realizes that his problems were not solved by just changing his looks.
A Different Man starts to gain momentum with Oswald’s arrival, especially when Edward sees how outgoing Oswald is and feels jealousy.
Pearson plays Oswald very well as a person everyone likes, but also as someone we can understand why Edward would dislike. Every time someone praises Oswald, or when Oswald is more lively than Edward, it feels like a personal attack on Edward.
Watching the balance between Stan and Pearson gives us these two actors at their best. It also allows Schimberg to raise larger questions about exploitation, representation, and how we treat people with disabilities.
Schimberg does this through his increasingly absurd story, which heightens Edward’s insecurities about who he was and who he has become. However, Schimberg seems more interested in pushing this ridiculous idea rather than making a strong statement about these issues.
As Edward, Oswald, and Ingrid start to work together on the play, we see questions about who should play what roles and how important it is to consult the people being represented. But these questions never feel as interesting as the funny aspects of Schimberg’s film.
Schimberg’s view of identity and representation has good intentions, but the wilder parts of A Different Man often overshadow the important themes in the film. Still, the performances of Stan and Pearson and their balance with each other, along with the questions Schimberg raises, are definitely worth showing in this wild story.
A Different Man, directed by Aaron Schimberg, is a dark and absurd comedy that shows identity and representation in the film industry. Sebastian Stan stars as Edward, an aspiring actor with a facial disfigurement, who feels uncomfortable in his own skin.
Still from A Different Man (Credit: Grand Motel Films)
After joining a medical trial to fix his deformity, Edward undergoes a dramatic transformation, gaining confidence and a handsome appearance. He discovers that his neighbor, Ingrid, is writing a play about him, leading him to audition for the lead role.
However, he faces challenges from Oswald, a charismatic man who resembles his former self. As Edward show his new life, themes of jealousy, exploitation, and the importance of representation emerge.
The film combines unsettling elements with sharp commentary, featuring strong performances from Stan and Adam Pearson, ultimately raising important questions about who gets to tell certain stories and how we view those with disabilities.
It is common for Survivor to change things up. These changes help keep the show exciting. Jeff Probst, the host, is always ready to try new ideas for the reality competition series. This was clear in the premiere of Survivor 47. The previous method called Sweat vs. Savvy had run its course.
So, Probst and the team decided to create a new way for the losing tribe to earn supplies after losing the first challenge. Before the season started, they teased an extraordinary adventure, similar to Indiana Jones. Some viewers felt the excitement did not meet their expectations.
While the new challenge was a step up from the old one, it did not fully deliver on the hype. However, it was just the first attempt, and such things can take time to improve. Despite this, the results turned out well for most players on the island.
Survivor is a popular reality competition show on CBS that began in 2000. Now in its 47th season, the show brings together a group of people who must cooperate to build a community but also work against each other.
They aim to outwit, outplay, and outlast the others for a chance to win a million-dollar prize. With many twists and surprises, Survivor 47 started fresh and exciting compared to earlier seasons.
X Marked the Spot
After the opening challenge, Jeff Probst informed the losing tribes, Lavo in red and Tuku in blue, that they had another chance to earn supplies. Probst explained that each tribe had to choose one player to compete for their supplies. There were no other hints given.
One person would represent their entire tribe. For Lavo, Aysha Welch volunteered. For Tuku, after a game of rock, paper, scissors, Terran “TK” Foster was chosen.
These two players went to a hidden challenge to earn their supplies. They competed in a scavenger hunt to find a series of keys. The first one to finish the race would win their tribe a pot, a machete, and flint.
The challenge was not overly complicated. It lacked the dramatic filming seen earlier in the episode. It was a simple, straightforward challenge. While it might have seemed grand during planning, in the final edit, it felt minor. It was a fun task, but the stakes were low.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: Paramount+)
Watching a solo idol hunt seemed more thrilling than this jungle adventure with oversized photos. In the end, Aysha made a critical mistake, leading to TK’s win, but that was as thrilling as it got.
Like the original challenge, Sweat vs. Savvy, this task required the losing tribe to earn their supplies. However, there was no clear choice between a physical or mental challenge.
It felt like just another twist in the New Era of Survivor, but slightly more significant. This change happened simply because it was needed. The truth is, the excitement did not fully deliver. It was just okay.
Risks in the New Era of Survivor
Jeff Probst often tells the players that every reward comes with a risk. Nothing is easy in Survivor, and players must earn everything. Whether it is camp supplies or their position in the game, castaways understand that they must work hard from the moment they arrive on the beach.
Adding this extra challenge fits with that mindset, but it no longer brings something new and thrilling. In fact, it could surprise players and fans if nothing changed at all. As they say in another CBS show, “Expect the unexpected.”
From a game perspective, every choice in Survivor has consequences. This is why the Beware Advantage is now a key part of the game. This new challenge showed how different players handle their decisions and the possible consequences. In the Tuku Tribe, no one wanted to volunteer and risk becoming a target.
So, a childhood game decided who would go. With many versions of Sweat vs. Savvy, participating in the challenge could help create a strong alliance while away from the tribe.
Or it could give someone a chance to build a close bond with their partner. In this version, only one person from each tribe participated, meaning five others had a chance to connect without them. This was a significant risk that could affect the entire season.
Aysha Welch: A Rising Star
For the Lavo Tribe, deciding to volunteer was a big choice. Aysha Welch took a risk that could have easily backfired. Volunteering meant she would be separated from her tribe while others formed bonds. Additionally, if she lost, she could become a target for putting her tribe at a disadvantage.
However, being a fan of Survivor helped her. In the first episode, viewers saw Aysha as a big fan of the show, holding a mug and wearing a t-shirt. But dedicated fans recognized her from Rob Has a Podcast, a popular network led by Survivor legend Rob Cesternino.
As Aysha struggled to win, the other five castaways in the Tuku Tribe considered leaving her behind and forming early alliances. However, one player, Teeny Chirichillo, suggested they wait for Aysha to return. Teeny wanted to know Aysha better. At first, it was unclear why.
Still from Survivor 47 (Credit: Paramount+)
But when Teeny mentioned Rob Has a Podcast, it became clear. This fan helped save Aysha’s game. While others may not have had that chance, Aysha’s strong social and strategic skills shone through. She also caught the attention of Rome Cooney during his idol hunt.
Currently, Aysha is in a good position! For her, this new challenge was beneficial. Survivor is about social strategy, but a bit of luck is also necessary. Aysha got lucky! Let’s see if luck stays with her!
This challenge showed how one simple task could turn into a spotlight on a player. It revealed a promising character in Aysha.
Now, fans wonder how Survivor will use the lessons learned for future seasons. Likely, nothing will change. Any feedback from fans will probably not be considered until the next filming block.
