You’ve probably seen the side-by-side photos. One features Sebastian Stan with heavy prosthetic makeup that makes him look entirely unrecognizable, and the other shows his "normal" face. It's the kind of visual hook that drives clicks, but A24’s A Different Man is way weirder than just a "makeup movie." Honestly, the casting choices here are what make the whole thing work. If they had just put a famous guy in a mask and called it a day, the movie would’ve been forgettable. Instead, director Aaron Schimber made a choice that actually challenges how we look at disability and identity on screen.
The Core Trio: Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson, and Renate Reinsve
Sebastian Stan plays Edward. He’s an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis. In the first act, Stan is buried under layers of silicone. Then, Edward undergoes a radical, experimental medical procedure. The tumors fall off—literally, in a scene that feels more like body horror than a prestige drama—and he becomes "handsome" Edward. Or, well, he becomes Sebastian Stan.
But here is where the A Different Man cast gets brilliant.
Enter Adam Pearson.
Pearson actually has neurofibromatosis in real life. You might recognize him from Under the Skin, where he acted opposite Scarlett Johansson. In this movie, he plays Oswald. Oswald is everything Edward wasn't: confident, charming, talented, and totally comfortable in his skin. The dynamic is incredible because you have Stan playing a man who "fixed" himself but is still miserable, and Pearson playing a man who didn't "fix" anything and is the life of the party. It’s a meta-commentary on casting that you rarely see in Hollywood.
Then you have Renate Reinsve. She plays Ingrid. If you haven't seen her in The Worst Person in the World, you’re missing out. She’s the neighbor/love interest/playwright who kickstarts the plot's descent into madness. She’s the bridge between the two men, and her performance is nuanced enough that you're never quite sure if she’s a saint or a bit of a vulture.
Why Adam Pearson is the Secret Weapon
Usually, when a movie deals with facial disfigurement, the industry takes a "pretty" actor and covers them in latex. Think Wonder or The Elephant Man. It's a trope.
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Schimber flips this.
By putting Adam Pearson in the same frame as Sebastian Stan, the movie forces the audience to confront their own biases. Pearson isn't a prop; he’s a comedic powerhouse. He plays Oswald with this breezy, effortless charisma that drives Stan’s character insane. It is legitimately funny. And uncomfortable.
Pearson has been a vocal advocate for disability representation for years. In interviews regarding the A Different Man cast, he’s often mentioned that he’s tired of seeing disabled characters who only exist to be "inspirational" or "villains." Oswald is neither. He’s just a guy who’s better at being Edward’s life than Edward is.
The Supporting Players You Might Recognize
While the leads carry the heavy lifting, the periphery of the A Different Man cast is filled with character actors who ground the surrealism.
- Miles G. Jackson pops up.
- Patrick Wang has a role.
- Neal Huff shows up as a doctor.
The film uses these smaller roles to build a New York City that feels lived-in and slightly grimy. It’s that specific A24 aesthetic where everything is a little too yellow and everyone looks like they need a nap. This helps balance the high-concept premise. When the "medical miracle" happens, the world stays mundane, which makes the psychological breakdown feel more real.
Is Sebastian Stan’s Performance "Oscar Bait"?
People love to say that putting on prosthetics is a shortcut to an Academy Award. Sometimes it is. But Stan is doing something different here. He’s playing a man who is uncomfortable in his own body, then becomes comfortable, then realizes he’s still the same guy underneath.
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The physicality changes.
In the beginning, he’s hunched, hesitant. After the "transformation," he tries to project confidence, but there’s a hollowness to it. It’s a performance about a man trying to perform as a "normal" person. It’s deeply layered. He won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance at the Berlin International Film Festival for a reason. He isn't just hiding behind a mask; he's showing the person who wants to hide.
The Reality of Neurofibromatosis in Film
Let's get clinical for a second. Neurofibromatosis (specifically NF1) is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. It’s not something that can be "cured" by a magic serum in real life.
The movie treats the medical aspect as a bit of a fairy tale, but the emotional reality is handled with a lot of respect, largely because of Adam Pearson’s involvement. He wasn't just an actor on set; he was a consultant. He made sure the script didn't fall into the usual traps of pity.
If you're watching this movie thinking it’s a standard "be happy with who you are" story, you’re in for a shock. It’s much darker. It’s about ego. It’s about how we define ourselves by how others see us. When Edward loses his "old" face, he loses his story. When Oswald arrives with the same face and a better story, Edward's identity completely collapses.
Production Trivia and Casting Facts
The makeup work was done by Mike Marino. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the guy who turned Colin Farrell into the Penguin for The Batman.
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The prosthetics for Stan took hours to apply every day.
Interestingly, Pearson and Stan became close during filming. That chemistry is palpable. There’s a specific scene involving a stage play within the movie where the two of them have to interact in a way that is so meta it’ll make your head spin. Stan’s character is playing a character based on himself, while Pearson’s character is also playing that same character.
It’s a hall of mirrors.
What to Watch Next if You Liked the Cast
If Sebastian Stan’s range surprised you, go back and watch I, Tonya or Fresh. He has a knack for playing "charming guys with a rot underneath."
If you want more of Adam Pearson, Under the Skin is essential viewing, though it’s a much more somber, haunting film than A Different Man.
For Renate Reinsve fans, she’s becoming a staple in international cinema. Her ability to play characters that are simultaneously likable and deeply frustrating is a rare gift.
Actionable Takeaways for Film Buffs
The A Different Man cast isn't just a list of names; it's a blueprint for how to handle sensitive subject matter without being preachy.
- Watch the credits: Look at the makeup team. The transition between "Edward" and "Guy" (Edward’s new identity) is a masterclass in subtle prosthetic work.
- Compare the performances: Watch how Sebastian Stan mimics Adam Pearson’s mannerisms later in the film. It’s a subtle bit of character work that shows Edward’s desperation to reclaim his life.
- Research the NF community's response: Many people with neurofibromatosis have praised the film for casting Pearson and for not making the "cure" the happy ending.
- Look for the symbolism: Pay attention to the recurring motifs of masks and mirrors. The movie asks if we are our faces, or if our faces are just masks we can't take off.
This movie won't be for everyone. It’s uncomfortable. It’s weird. It’s often very mean-spirited toward its protagonist. But as a showcase for a cast that is willing to take massive risks, it’s one of the most interesting projects to come out of the independent scene in years. Don't go in expecting a Hallmark movie about inner beauty. Go in expecting a psychological thriller about the horror of getting exactly what you thought you wanted.