A Different Man (2024) review

Edward Lemuel (Sebastian Stan), an actor who suffers with neurofibromatosis, lives next door to aspiring playwright Ingrid Vold (Renate Reinsve) and becomes enamored with her but is self-conscious and has low self-esteem, so he undergoes an experimental treatment to return his face to "normal," auditions for Ingrid's play and lands the role ... and then charismatic Oswald (Adam Pearson), who also has neurofibromatosis, appears out of nowhere and wins Ingrid over with his wit and charm.  Schimberg deserves a tiny bit of praise for attempting to make a movie about individuals with facial deformities, which is a fine balancing act in itself ... except it's inconsistent in tone, Edward's character goes berserk at the end (by smashing up a leaking ceiling and stabbing a man) and unclear in its ultimate message.  Is it trying to argue that, if given the opportunity, one shouldn't at least attempt to fix a genetic problem with advanced medical science?  And why is Edward so fixated on a flaky, promiscuous woman when it's clear, with his "new appearance," he could find another suitable partner (after all, he has oral sex in a bar bathroom)?  Plus, who's to say if he didn't undergo the grueling alteration Ingrid wouldn't have tossed him away on a whim like she did with multiple other men?  With pretty ladies it's always a crapshoot.