In A Different Man, Sebastian Stan does what he does best, making us interested in unpleasant jerks.
Edward Lemuel is a kind, timid man.
Or so it seems.
Its easy to see why Edward would conduct himself in this manner.
After all, he has neurofibromatosis, a condition that covers his face with deforming tumors.
Edward discovers hes at home among the jerks.
In fact, few modern actors excel at portraying unlikable people quite like Sebastian Stan.
Yet as popular as his character is, Stan has always seemed ill at ease in the role.
He appears inert on screen, trying and failing to make a creased brow and glower compelling.
Popular as the part may be, Bucky hardly shows off Stan at his best.
To best understand that, we can revisit Stans work from even before the MCU.
The effect comes less from any CGI wizardry and more from the attitude Stan infuses in the character.
Hes a bitter, hateful man with an insufficient mustache.
But as Edward as Guy integrates better into society, his anger and bitterness intensifies.
But Schimberg has something more complex, and more cynical, in mind.
Guys good looks allow him to become a high-powered real estate agent, successful with cash and women.
That dyspeptic twist, meanwhile, gives Stan plenty of space to play a sour, soiled man.
And thats Stans real skill in being unpleasant onscreen.
No one would blame him if he kept bringing in money and fans by playing Bucky or similar roles.
Say as Dwayne Johnsons partner in rescuing Santa Claus?
AsA Different Manshows, Stan excels at playing despicable men precisely because he plays them so real.
A Different Man is now streaming on Max.
