A Different Man

What’s it about?

A Different Man is a film in which a shy and insecure actor with a disfiguring medical condition misses out on the acting role, and life, he always wanted after he undergoes an experimental medical treatment that cures his condition.

The facts

• Directed by Aaron Schimberg
• Stats Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson, Michael Shannon, Renate Reinsve
• English language
• Runtime 111 minutes
• Premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival 2024

Why did it get this rating?

This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.

Violence

The main character accidentally cuts his finger with a kitchen knife. The bloody wound heals rapidly.

A character attacks an actor during a theatre performance, and they briefly scuffle. Props and scenery are crashed into and we see a large piece suspended above the stage crash onto a character. In the next scene we see him in a full body cast.

A character suddenly stabs another man in the shoulder with a kitchen knife. There is a brief struggle before the stabbed man collapses and we see their clothing is stained with blood.

Offensive language

There is occasional use of the word ‘f*ck’ and ‘b*tch’ which is brief and surprising.

Sex scenes and nudity

In one scene set in a grimy bathroom we see a woman go down on a man and begin to undo his trousers. Oral sex is implied by the male character’s reaction shown in the mirror, we don’t see further detail.

In a bedroom scene a man and woman have sex. We see both man and woman naked and he is lying on top of her. We see female breasts, and then briefly the man’s penis and bottom when he returns to the room and gets back into bed.

Suicide

A neighbour hangs himself off screen. The main character sees his neighbour’s dead body being cut down and taken away by paramedics. Due to his own circumstances, he uses his neighbour’s death to assume a new identity, and tells people the individual with facial disfigurement suicided.

The suicide is referenced in a theatre play and is clearly based on the earlier life of the main character.

Content that may disturb

There is an element of body horror when the main character’s facial growths fall off his face. Skin and pieces of flesh are shown peeling and breaking off, leaving raw areas on his face that heal rapidly into a perfectly handsome face.

Helplines:

The suicide scenes and references could be upsetting for some viewers, especially for those who have been impacted by suicide. If you are struggling with what you have seen on-screen please reach out for help. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?