Sebastian Stan once received widespread praise on social media after correcting a journalist’s choice of words during a Q&A panel at the Berlin Film Festival.
The 43-year-old Marvel star was promoting his A24 psychological thriller, A Different Man, directed by Aaron Schimberg.
In the film, Stan plays Edward, an aspiring actor who undergoes reconstructive surgery to drastically alter his disfigured appearance.
The plot follows Edward’s growing obsession with a stage actor – played by Adam Pearson – who shares his pre-surgery appearance in a play based on his life.
The ‘Beast’ Comment and Stan’s Response
During the press conference, a reporter used the word “beast” to describe Edward before his transformation.
The journalist asked: “What do you think happens after the transformation from this so-called beast, as they call him, to this perfect man?”
Stan, visibly taken aback, addressed the remark immediately: “I have to call you out a little bit on the choice of words there because I think part of why the film is important is because we often don’t have, maybe even the right vocabulary.
"I think it’s a little bit more complex than that… 'beast' isn’t the word.”
He went on to explain the broader message of the film, emphasizing the need for nuanced understanding: “We have these preconceived ideas, and we’re not really educated on how to really understand this experience in particular.
"The things that you’re saying about him at the beginning, that’s your interpretation.
"Everyone might have a different interpretation of what he’s going through… One of the things I love about the movie is that he’s offering you a way to look at it.”
Fans Applaud Stan for Advocating for Disability Awareness
Social media users quickly praised Stan for standing up against ableist language. One wrote: “It's fantastic to see #SebastianStan highlighting the importance of language.”
Others commented:
- “In 2024, a reporter should know better to not use 'beast' to describe someone with facial disfiguration.”
- “Good job, Seb! Reporter should know better! Especially when it’s towards an actual real person.”
- “Proud to be a long time fan of someone who isn’t afraid to speak out for disability rights!”
The film also stars Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve and British actor Adam Pearson, who has neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder causing tumor growth along the nerves.
Pearson’s casting brings authenticity to the story, highlighting the challenges faced by people with visible differences.
Credit: Michael Kovac/Getty Images.
Stan Reflects on Public Reactions to His Prosthetics
Speaking at the Sundance Film Festival, Stan discussed how people responded to his facial prosthetics while preparing for the role.
He described reactions as limited and polarized, noting: “It just really is limited between two extremes, which is either [people] won’t address it, or overcompensation.
"The only people that really were the most honest were kids.”
He recalled an encounter with a young girl and her mother, observing that children’s curiosity was more genuine and judgment-free: "She was just being inquisitive, and she was brave and courageous.
"That’s kids, right? They just want to know. It was a learning lesson for me, really."
Through both his on-screen performance and his public statements, Stan continues to shed light on societal perceptions of disfigurement and disability, encouraging audiences to confront their own biases and think critically about the language they use.