Movie review
August 24, 2024 · 112 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
A Different Man is a dark comedy psychological thriller following aspiring actor Edward, who has neurofibromatosis and undergoes an experimental procedure to transform his disfigured face into that of a conventionally handsome man. He fakes the death of his old self, reinvents himself as a successful real estate agent, but becomes consumed by obsession when his former neighbor, a playwright, creates an off-Broadway play based on his previous life and casts a charismatic actor with the same condition in the lead role. The narrative centers on themes of self-perception, comparison, and identity shaped by physical appearance. It includes recurring audience-visible meta-commentary on disability representation in the arts along with satirical references to modern identity and DEI contexts.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for A Different Man.
Woke representation / casting
Plot and production deliberately highlight disability representation debates through meta play-casting and dual approach of prosthetic makeup plus authentic actor with the condition.
Woke political dialogue
Satirical nods to modern representation issues and DEI-style content appear but remain secondary to character-driven satire.
Identity-driven story themes
Disability, appearance, and personal identity crisis form the central narrative engine and recurring character motivation.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Satirizes societal lookism, ableism, and artistic appropriation of disability stories including DEI references without dominant modern activist systemic attack.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No meaningful backlash claiming the title pushes woke, activist, or identity-political messaging.
Creator track record context
Director’s prior film and personal background plus producer’s history of politically committed identity work provide supporting context.
Production
