A Different Man ending explained: What happens to Edward in the award-winning psychological thriller?

Aaron Schimberg's A Different Man recently won a Golden Globe award for Sebastian Stan's transformative central performance. For the same role, Stan earlier won the Silver Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival. It premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and rose to critical acclaim.

The film is a black comedic psychological thriller that follows an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis struggling to make it big. He manages to transform his appearance after a medical procedure. However, things do not go as he hoped they would.

Here's the official synopsis for the film:

"An aspiring actor undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance, but his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare."

Besides Stan in the leading role, the film stars Renate Reinsve and Adam Pearson in key supporting roles. The film is roughly two hours long and ends on a note surprising for the central character.

In the end, Edward/Guy gets out of jail to find Oswald and Ingrid married and successful. Unlike them, he has no prospects.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for A Different Man, an award-winning psychological thriller. Reader discretion is advised.

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What is the story behind A Different Man?

A Different Man follows Edward Lemuel (Sebastian Stan), an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis, which leaves him with a disfigured facial condition. He is socially anxious and struggles to find jobs. Ingrid Vold (Renate Reinsve), an aspiring playwright, moves into his neighboring apartment and befriends him. He develops feelings for her.

Around this time, Edward learns about an experimental scientific procedure that can alter his appearance. After going through this procedure, he lies to his neighbors that Edward died and assumes the identity of a different man called 'Guy Moratz.'

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What happens after Edward's transformation?

As Guy, Edward becomes a successful realtor and has a better social life. One day, he learns about Ingrid's new play about a character with a condition similar to his. He auditions it with a mask of a disfigured face. While working on this role, he gets into a romantic relationship with Ingrid.

Soon, Oswald (Adam Pearson), with neurofibromatosis, passes by the theater of their rehearsal. He takes an interest in Ingrid's play. In no time, he impresses the cast and crew with his charisma. Afterward, Ingrid is seen asking Edward to put on his mask while they get intimate but laughs it off later.

Oswald impresses Ingrid with his acting skills and bags the role Edward was supposed to play. He gets into a relationship with Ingrid and gets praised for his acting performance. Edward is reduced to being an understudy. So, he envies Oswald.

Edward tries to speak in a manner that emulates Oswald, hoping it will help with his social life. He walks out of his job with his mask on. Then, he follows Oswald to the theater and attacks him. During this fight, a part of the set falls on him and injures him.

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What happens to Edward at the end of his journey?

Edward moves back into his old building. A physical trainer tries to help him get back on his feet. This trainer mocks Oswald's appearance. So, in a fit of anger, Edward stabs the trainer and gets jailed.

Many years later, Edward walks out of the jail and meets Oswald & Ingrid, who get married and become successful. While they discuss their retirement plans, Edward has nothing to say about his life. So, at the end of Edward's journey, he does not achieve his dreams.

Edward fails because of his behavioral issues and not necessarily because he lacks talent. He lives under constant fear of rejection before and even after the transformation. However, he blames only external factors for not achieving his dreams instead of improving the things he can. As Guy, he lets his ego get the better of him. So, he does not achieve the success that Oswald does.