Aspiring actor Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. But his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he loses out on the role he was born to play and becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost.
Sebastian Stan
Edward
Renate Reinsve
Ingrid
Adam Pearson
Oswald
Miles G. Jackson
Sean
Patrick Wang
Director
Neal Davidson
Corey
Jed Rapfogel
Man in Sunglasses
Marc Geller
Ragged Man
James Foster, Jr.
Intrusive Man
JJ McGlone
Casting Director
Sergio Delavicci
Mover
Lawrence Arancio
Landlord
Billy Griffith
Ollie
John Klacsmann
Ostermeier
Cosmo Bjorkenheim
Whistling Expert
John Keating
Dr. Varno
C. Mason Wells
Carl
Corey Taylor
Luther
Danielle Burgos
Sally
Sammy Mena
Sammy Silverheels
Jon Dieringer
Johnny Handsome
Malachi Weir
Dr. Flexner
David Joseph Regelmann
Dr. Jewell
Nina Marie White
Dr. Trutz
Dena Winter
Ostermeier’s Girl
Peter D. Straus
Abraham Lincoln
Cameron Steinfeld
Grinning Man
Marley Ficalora
Athletic Man
Cornelius Horgan
Bartender
Doug Barron
Guy Gaunt
Stephee Bonifacio
Heather
Allan Anthony Smith
Rowdy Man
Trenton Hudson
Rowdy Man
Sean Berman
Goth Guy
Annelise Ogaard
Goth Girl
Juney Smith
Nestor
Lucy Kaminsky
Mariana
Owen Kline
Nick
Jarvis Tomdio
Clay
Ethan Lusk
Boy on Subway
Karoline
Vivian
Liana Runcie
Fiona
Bruce Kitzmeyer
Mr. Sablosky
Martin Ewens
Makeup Artist
Caroline Golum
Karaoke Singer
Eleanore Pienta
Sadie
Hanna Edizel
Laughing Girl
Charlie Korsmo
Ron Belcher
Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon
Christopher Spurrier
Physical Therapist
Katie Takahashi
Server
Vanessa McDonnell
PSA Narrator
Rory McGuire
PSA Face
Alison Midstokke
PSA Face
John Hewson
PSA Face
Chrissie Riedhofer
PSA Face
Mikaela Moody
PSA Face
Emma Easton
PSA Face
Aaron Schimberg
Man in Bar (uncredited)
Director, Writer
Aaron Schimberg
October 6, 2024
7
"Edward" (Sebastian Stan) is a facially disfigured man, stuck in a rundown apartment, whose life isn't really going anywhere fast. Then he gets a new neighbour. "Ingrid" (Renato Reinsve) is a writer who befriends him and promises him a part in her play. Meantime, his doctors manage to get him on a radical course of treatment that gradually returns his face to a more normal visage. Returning to his flat, and with some fairly grotesque things emerging from his leaky ceiling, he realises that nobody recognises him anymore so he has to assume a different identity. That's when he discovers that "Ingrid" is, indeed, putting on a play - and that the old "Edward" is the title and the topic. He wants the part. It's his part. How to get it though without giving the game away? Add to his frustrations the arrival of "Oswald" (Adam Pearson) who is an ostensibly decent character but who also wants the role, and he has the aesthetics as opposed to the prosthetics. "Ingrid" has tough choices to make but where might this leave "Edward"? There's something quite circular about the way this story pans out. A sort of be careful what you wish for type scenario that gives and removes hope from "Edward" and almost creates a villain of the piece too! Is that merited or is that justified? The drama shines a light on the more shallow attitudes amidst society, on our intolerances and assumptions but it also swipes at the fickleness of friendships, fame and success - all rather engagingly delivered by both Stan and Pearson. It's the former man who positively exudes exasperation as the denouement (only vaguely) skirts the Chaplinesque. It's on that note that it's worth saying this is quite funny at times, too - the writing doesn't try to impose any morals on us, rather it presents us with some scenarios and lets us enjoy and evaluate as we go. It doesn't hang about, and right from the start we hit the ground running as the characters develop, the personalities emerge - for good or bad, and it's well worth a couple of hours in a cinema. I got more from it second time round as I was able to focus a little more on the nuance than the imagery.