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Comedy thriller

A Different Man (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

A Different Man (2024) movie poster

A Different Man is a 2024 comedy thriller directed by Aaron Schimberg, starring Sebastian Stan as Edward, Renate Reinsve and Adam Pearson. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 6 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
worldwide gross
$1.5M
award won
1
Echo Score
80
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A Different Man (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Aaron Schimberg
Genres
Comedy , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
A24
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Different Man About?

The premise of A Different Man without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A struggling actor named Edward seeks fame and fortune by undergoing transformative surgery to alter his appearance. However, his pursuit of a "perfect" face leads to a chilling obsession and a disturbing downward spiral as he confronts the loss of his original identity.

A Different Man Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • male full frontal nudity
  • female nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • male nudity
  • male frontal nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • brief female full frontal nudity
  • brief female frontal nudity
  • facial surgery
  • stage production
  • aspiring actor
  • neurofibromatosis
+38 more
  • dark comedy
  • female frontal nudity
  • sex scene
  • skin ripped off face
  • blow job
  • male pubic hair
  • reference to abraham lincoln
  • reference to facebook
  • no opening credits
  • character says 'i don't know my own strength'
  • suicide
  • reference to peppa pig
  • reference to woody allen
  • reference to lady gaga
  • photographic memory
  • reference to the juilliard school
  • calling someone a nervous nelly
  • reference to jfk assassination
  • ice cream truck
  • reference to the sound of music
  • water leak in the ceiling
  • reference to john hinckley jr.
  • reference to fabio
  • reference to kenneth branagh
  • reference to hamlet
  • christmas tree
  • typewriter
  • character says 'fight or flight'
  • playwright
  • physical therapy
  • reference to william shakespeare
  • moving a couch
  • throwing up in the toilet
  • reference to john f. kennedy
  • reference to lee harvey oswald
  • reference to john coltrane
  • suicide by hanging
  • standee
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Cast & crew

A Different Man Cast & Characters

Sebastian Stan leads the cast as Edward, with Renate Reinsve as Ingrid and Adam Pearson as Oswald. Directed by Aaron Schimberg; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Different Man

· 15 more
Ratings

A Different Man Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Different Man 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

80 /100

A Different Man Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, A Different Man impresses with its original concept and compelling performances, though its narrative coherence wavers in later sequences. The film’s inventive meta structure and philosophical underpinnings are praised for their novelty and engagement. Actors Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson deliver consistently nuanced portrayals that drive the story’s emotional core. However, the second half shows uneven pacing and thematic overreach that may challenge viewer immersion. Ultimately, the film leaves a memorable but somewhat fragmented impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of visual design, the film establishes a distinctive atmosphere with moody framing and deliberate color choices. The cinematography and production design create an immersive yet subdued tone that supports the narrative’s unsettling themes. Editing transitions occasionally feel jarring, particularly during shifts in emotional register. Overall, the film’s art and craft demonstrate strong aesthetic cohesion with minor unevenness in tonal balance.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is anchored by two transformative lead performances. Stan’s portrayal conveys deep internal conflict, while Pearson brings a grounded, resilient presence. Their chemistry generates genuine emotional stakes and nuanced interplay. Supporting roles offer less depth, leaving some characters feeling underdeveloped. Overall, the acting delivers the film’s strongest emotional connection.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the film introduces an original meta narrative exploring identity and perception. Early acts engage with surprising developments that challenge expectations. However, pacing becomes uneven in the second half, and thematic threads occasionally feel overextended. Narrative clarity suffers amid tonal shifts, leading to a sensation of fragmentation. Overall, the story offers inventive concepts tempered by structural inconsistencies.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When considering the sensory experience, the film employs a dark, atmospheric soundscape and a cohesive visual style. The score and sound design underscore unsettling moments, while the subdued palette reinforces themes of transformation. Color grading leans toward muted tones, which some viewers may find overly austere. Overall, the sensory elements effectively immerse the audience with occasional tonal disjunctions.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s layered meta structure and thematic depth encourage multiple viewings. Subtle visual motifs and narrative puzzles invite deeper analysis of identity and perception. However, inconsistencies in pacing and occasional narrative fragmentation may reduce its lasting appeal. Overall, the film rewards attentive audiences but may not sustain repeat enjoyment for all viewers.

Plot

A Different Man Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in A Different Man from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Edward Lemuel is a struggling actor with neurofibromatosis that manifests as a disfiguring facial condition. He befriends his new neighbor Ingrid Vold, an aspiring playwright, but is too nervous to act on his romantic feelings towards her. After receiving an experimental medical treatment that cures him of his condition, he assumes the identity of “Guy Moratz” and claims that Edward has killed himself.

Full summary

The whole story of A Different Man, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

A Different Man Box Office

A Different Man grossed $1.5 million worldwide. $654,254 came from the US and Canada and $861,736 (57%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.5M

US & Canada
$654.3K
International
$861.7K
US & Canada 43% Rest of the world 57%
Awards

A Different Man Awards & Nominations

A Different Man won 1 award from 6 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 2025, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win6 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

A Different Man Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 4 clips and 3 featurettes.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser TV Spot
  • Clip Edward's New Face - Movie Clip
  • Clip Edward Gets Replaced By Oswald - Movie Clip
  • Clip Edward Crashes The Play And Fights Oswald - Movie Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Different Man?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What condition does Edward Lemuel struggle with?

Details

A Different Man Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “مردی دیگر” and “مردی متفاوت”.

Also known as
  • مردی دیگر
  • مردی متفاوت
  • 与众不同的男人
  • Fərqli Bir Adam
  • 어 디프런트 맨
  • 어 디퍼런트 맨
  • Um Homem Diferente
  • Un om diferit
  • Другой человек
  • Jiný člověk
  • Un Hombre Diferente
  • Farklı Bir Adam
+10 more
  • 非常男人
  • 不同的男人
  • Một Người Đàn Ông Khác, განსხვავებული კაცი
  • Un homme différent
  • Kitoks žmogus
  • Інша людина
  • 雙面人生
  • Un home diferent
  • 顔を捨てた男
  • איש אחר

Seen A Different Man?

FAQ

A Different Man FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of A Different Man, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Different Man?

A Different Man runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was A Different Man released?

A Different Man was released on September 20, 2024.

Who directed A Different Man?

A Different Man was directed by Aaron Schimberg.

More films by Aaron Schimberg

Who is in the cast of A Different Man?

A Different Man stars Sebastian Stan as Edward, Renate Reinsve as Ingrid and Adam Pearson as Oswald, among 19 credited actors.

How much did A Different Man make at the box office?

A Different Man grossed $1.5 million worldwide ($654,254 domestic, $861,736 international).

How is A Different Man rated?

A Different Man has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 78 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

What awards did A Different Man win?

A Different Man won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Actor) at the Golden Globes 2025.

Does A Different Man have a post-credit scene?

No. A Different Man has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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