“A Different Man” features strong performances by Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson, but unfortunately, the story does rise to their level.

Stan plays Edward, a disfigured actor who decides to undergo an experimental treatment that might make his disfigurement go away. In some grotesque scenes, he winds up shedding his facial deformities, ultimately revealing his movie star face.

Instead of leaning into the success of the treatment, he tells people Edward died and lives a new life as Guy. He winds up finding success as the face of a real estate company.

While walking through the city one day, he notices his former playwright neighbor, Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), walking and follows her. It turns out she has written a play based on him, even calling it “Edward.” He is intrigued and winds up auditioning, pulling out a mask of his former face that had been relegated to a far-away closet.

Things take on a whole other dimension when Oswald (Pearson) shows up in a friendly but menacing way, inserting himself into situations with Guy that alter the course of his life.

I really liked parts of this film, but the lack of explanation for Oswald’s sudden recurring appearances and the lack of clarity about motivations for other things that happen, especially in the film’s final act, left me wanting more.

I do like ambiguous stories, but this one just felt a little messy to me.

Having seen “A Different Man” and “The Substance” more-or-less back-to-back, I feel like they would make a compelling double feature. While “The Substance” is a female-driven, outlandish body horror, “A Different Man” is a more realistic dark comedy/thriller and explores male beauty standards that are much less discussed.

Rating: 3/5