Sebastian Stan Learns Brutal Truth About Human Nature After Stepping Out In Disfiguring Facial Prosthetics
One actor. One disguise. And one hard-hitting lesson about how we treat those who look a little different.
We all like to believe we’re compassionate, open-minded people who embrace diversity and accept others without a second thought. But let’s be honest—how often do we find ourselves doing just that?
We walk down the street, and when something or someone looks different from what we expect, we either stare, look away awkwardly, or pretend not to notice at all. It’s not that we’re inherently mean or cruel—it’s just that we don’t always know how to respond to something unfamiliar.
It’s easy to say we don’t judge people by their appearances. However, in reality, most of us instinctively feel discomfort when face to face with someone who doesn’t fit the neat little box of what society considers “normal.”
Think about it: when was the last time you saw someone in public who looked a bit different from the crowd? Did you stop to make eye contact? Did you engage? Or did you, like most people, look away, unsure of what to do?
Even in a world that preaches inclusivity, those who don’t fit the mold can often feel invisible—or worse, unwanted. Actor Sebastian Stan experienced this firsthand in a deeply personal way while preparing for his latest role in A Different Man, A24's new psychological thriller.
How far would you go to change your life? A Different Man explores the cost of transformation—inside and out.
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The film, directed by Aaron Schimberg, is a raw look at how society deals with differences. In the movie, Stan plays Edward—an aspiring actor with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis, which causes tumors to grow on his face.
Eager for acceptance, Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to reshape his face into what society deems “conventionally attractive.” However, he soon discovers that his new appearance doesn’t bring him the fulfillment he imagined.
His mental health begins to spiral, especially when Oswald enters the picture. Oswald is played by Adam Pearson who is known for his own visible difference due to the same condition.
Stan's transformation for the role was more than just acting—it was an eye-opening experience. The actor wore facial prosthetics to portray Edward before his surgery, and as part of his preparation, he walked the streets of New York City while wearing the disguise.
What he learned from this experiment was more profound than any acting lesson.
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Sebastian Stan steps into a new reality, experiencing first-hand how the world reacts to difference.
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When prompted to describe how it went, Stan didn’t hold back. “I think the world’s a cruel place,” he admitted. The actor observed that many people simply didn’t know how to handle someone who looked different, and as a result, most avoided him altogether.
But the most surprising part? The only people who approached him were children. Kids, in their natural curiosity, weren’t bound by the same social fears and discomfort that kept adults at bay.
This stark difference in reactions underscored just how much society still has to learn when it comes to embracing people who don’t fit the mold.
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Stan’s experience is a powerful reminder that despite all our progress, society still struggles with accepting physical differences. His takeaway? “I wish everybody would get to walk around in some prosthetics in New York City for one day and see the world through those lenses.”
It’s a challenge to see past the surface and recognize the humanity in everyone—no matter how they look.
Jesse
