A Different Man

In the end, Edward, now living as the successful real estate agent Guy Moratz, has fully accepted his new identity, but internally remains the same vulnerable person he was before. His transformation was never about who he is inside but about how society perceives and treats him based on his appearance. When he sees Ingrid’s play based on his life, he realizes that her interest in his story was superficial, rooted only in his deformity and the inspiration it provided for her work. Ingrid’s portrayal of him was limited and dismissive, focusing only on his face and neglecting his full humanity. The character she created was superficial and didn’t capture the real Edward, which crushes him further, especially since she never truly saw him as a person.

When Oswald, who shares his condition but presents himself with confidence and vitality, enters the story, Edward’s feelings of inadequacy deepen. Though Oswald’s presence seems to suggest that someone with the same condition can live happily and openly, the film hints that Edward’s struggles are more about his personal circumstances and a lifetime of feeling like an outsider. Despite Oswald’s outward confidence, Edward feels consumed by envy and despair as he witnesses Oswald fitting into society more easily. He begins to see himself as still broken underneath, especially when his attempt to reclaim his life by attacking Oswald during a performance ends with him injured and broken once again—metaphorically and literally.

By the film’s conclusion, Edward’s internal journey seems to settle into an existence of resignation and acceptance. He’s come to terms with his limitations and the harsh truths of his life. His encounter with the stranger on the street who yells at him for no reason symbolizes how society continues to mistreat and judge him, regardless of his external appearance. When Ingrid and Oswald are shown as a happy family about to leave for a new life, Edward remains silent and passive, even smiling peacefully when Oswald calls him by his real name, Edward. This quiet smile signifies that he has finally embraced who he is—an insecure, broken man who has lost his dreams of a different life and accepted his place in the world. The woman he makes eye contact with in the restaurant can be seen as a reminder of his lost aspirations, and Ostermeier’s tragic death foreshadows that, no matter how much he wishes for change, life’s unfairness persists. Ultimately, Edward’s ending is one of resigned peace—he no longer fights against himself or others, understanding that the true struggle was never about changing his face, but about accepting himself as he is.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:02