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Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit against "Pokémon with guns" game Palworld this week, officially kicking off a fight that's been looming since January. Now Palworld developer Pocketpair has responded, claiming it has no idea why it's being sued. This actually isn't as absurd as it sounds.
In a statement released on Thursday, Pocketpair confirmed it had received notice of a patent infringement lawsuit and was investigating its claims, though refrained from specifically naming either Nintendo or The Pokémon Company.
Interestingly, Pocketpair also said it doesn't yet know the details of exactly what it's accused of.
SEE ALSO: 'Pokémon with guns' game 'Palworld' hit with inevitable Nintendo lawsuit"We have received notice of this lawsuit and will begin the appropriate legal proceedings and investigations into the claims of patent infringement," Pocketpair wrote in its statement. "At this moment, we are unaware of the specific patents we are accused of infringing upon, and we have not been notified of such details."
Tweet may have been deleted Why is Nintendo suing Palworld? Credit: PocketpairThough Pocketpair's claims of ignorance may initially seem ridiculous, they're less surprising once you consider the nature of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's claims.
Palworld drew international attention during its January early access launch due to perceived similarities between its titular Pals and Pokémon designs. Some 3D modellers even directly compared character models, speculating that Pocketpair had stolen assets — a theory the developer has consistently denied.
However, patents don't cover such elements, which would more appropriately be handled by a copyright. Instead, a patent infringement lawsuit is more likely to deal with technical elements such as gameplay mechanics.
Palworld's gameplay does have undeniable gameplay similarities to the Pokémon franchise, with both allowing players to capture and battle teams of fantastical monsters. Even so, they're far from the only monster-taming games out there, with games such as Dragon Quest V and Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei series preceding both.
As such, the exact nature of Nintendo's beef with Pocketpal isn't immediately apparent.
It seems reasonable to speculate that the lawsuit may involve Palworld's "Pal Spheres." To capture a Pal in Palworld, players first fight their target to lower its health and increase the probability of a successful capture. They then throw a Pal Sphere at the Pal, trapping them inside it.
As anyone familiar with Pokémon games will know, this mechanic operates very similarly to Pokéballs.
The theory that the lawsuit concerns Pal Spheres is further supported by several divisional patent applications Nintendo and The Pokémon Company jointly submitted after Palworld's launch. Some of the patents seem to concern mechanics such as aiming and throwing an item to capture a creature, as well as throwing an item to release a captured creature and start a battle.
Divisional patents essentially split a pre-existing patent into multiple separate ones, separating distinct inventions that were previously bundled together. Such split patents are still considered to have been in effect from the date of their parent patent, meaning they could feasibly form the basis of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's lawsuit against Pocketpair.
As noted by Japanese patent attorney Kiyoshi Kurihara in Yahoo Japan (via Automaton West), Nintendo and The Pokémon Company requested that processing for these divisional patent applications be fast-tracked.
Of course, all of this is mere speculation at present, with the exact details of the lawsuit yet to be confirmed. When previously reached for comment, The Pokémon Company told Mashable that it "refrain[s] from commenting on the matters related to the content of the lawsuit."
Mashable has also reached out to Nintendo and Pocketpair for comment.
"It is truly unfortunate that we will be forced to allocate significant time to matters unrelated to game development due to this lawsuit," Pocketpair said in its public statement. "However, we will do our utmost for our fans, and to ensure that indie game developers are not hindered or discouraged from pursuing their creative ideas."
Your collection of bar cart staples probably includes the usual suspects: a mixologist-approved stainless steel shaker, cute or quirky umbrellas, and exotic syrups.
Get ready to add an unexpected item to that list: 7UP. That's right, the lemon-lime-flavoured soft drink from your childhood wants you to make space on your drink trolley for its fizzy goodness. In a move aimed at capturing the hearts — and taste buds — of Gen-Zers and Millennials, 7UP has launched a global campaign under the banner "Level Up With 7UP". The main idea is that 7UP can be a key ingredient for elevating any social gathering, from low-key beach days to happening house parties.
Here's what you need to know — and how you can join in the fun.
7UP tapping into timely trendsMillennials and Gen-Zers are comfortable experimenting with unique food and drink combinations. After all, these are the generations responsible for such iconic (if not bizarre) creations as butter boards, egg flights, and croissant-doughnut hybrids. These cohorts are also suckers for a throwback. So, it’s not a stretch to think that they’ll embrace a classic choice like 7UP as a modern addition to their mixology toolkit.
The campaign also taps into other social trends, like mixology at home and craft mocktail culture, as well as the fact that younger consumers are increasingly open to experimenting with unique beverage options, from matcha mojito mocktails to muddled pineapple and lime cordials. (The absolute explosion of seltzer options in your supermarket’s drink aisle is proof of this movement.)
Notably, the campaign also spotlights 7UP's Zero Sugar variant, which offers the same citrus-forward flavour without the sugar. This inclusion is a nod to the growing demand for diverse beverage options, particularly among younger consumers seeking great, refreshing drinks with less sugar.
The strategy behind the ‘z campaignTo drive home their message, 7UP is rolling out a dynamic mix of content, starting with a short film that depicts friends getting together and playfully experimenting with 7UP in their drink recipes. The video illustrates how this familiar soda can be transformed into a creative mixer that adds flair to any gathering. (And it just might provide you with inspiration for your next flat party or happy hour theme.)
In addition to the film, 7UP has also introduced a series of influencer collaborations that demonstrate inventive ways to add 7UP’s signature citrusy punch to any bespoke beverage of choice. For instance, the soda can be used in unique versions of both classic and novel drinks—from tropical punches to fruity infusions to lemon-lime spritzes.
The hashtag challenge: #LEVELUPWITH7UPGot an idea for up-levelling your favourite drink? You can join the party online. The #LEVELUPWITH7UP hashtag invites users on platforms like TikTok and Instagram to share their own drink recipes using 7UP. Show off your creation with everything from quick tutorials to more in-depth explorations of the endless possibilities.
In the coming weeks, 7UP is taking their new campaign global, hitting markets like Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal, India, and Thailand. Expect a slew of locally produced influencer content with regional twists, tons of giveaways, drink sampling events, and even some VIP beach parties. Want in on the action? Keep an eye on the brand’s social feeds for all the juicy details.
Whether you're coming up with a new mocktail or enhancing your refreshing spritz recipe, 7UP promises to bring a novel twist to your next gathering — and an unexpected addition to your perfectly curated bar cart.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Online dating as a lesbian, for the most part, still involves having your space invaded by straight people.
The heteronormative weirdness got so alienating that lesbians began turning to TikTok as a means of meeting other single lesbians — turns out, it's a pretty good matchmaker.
But it's unrealistic to expect a social media app to work like a dating app for everyone. It's hard for some of us to comprehend, but not everyone spends every free minute on TikTok. Lesbians who have exhausted their local romantic options are still going to want to see who else is out there in time for cuffing season.
Is online dating difficult for lesbians?For much of current history, some people have acted as though lesbians didn't exist outside of porn and Ellen DeGeneres, while jokes swirled about how girls only turned to dating women if they had a bad experience with a man. Even in 2023, these tone-deaf assumptions still find a way to rain on the lesbian online dating experience. If it's not a man appearing in your feed when you specifically marked that you're searching for women, it's matching with a woman just to be hit with the classic "My boyfriend and I are looking for a threesome."
SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for womenThere's one big problem: The apps targeted toward the straights are still where most of the queer users are, too. Though women-only apps like HER are gaining traction fast, they can still be a bit of a ghost town...or a scammer's paradise. You just have to decide whether you'd rather deal with the quirks of Tinder and have more options to swipe through or be fine with coming across the same profile three times as long as it's not a man.
What is the best dating app for lesbians?A decent number of dating sites and apps specifically for lesbians do exist, but most are plagued with the same issues: Either their sole purpose is to sexualise lesbians and aren't really meant for genuine connection at all, or their lax security protocols make it way too easy for ill-intentioned men to sign up pretending to be women. If you're wondering why we left most of those so-called female-only apps out, that's why.
With that in mind, we have lined up a selection of strong options to suit lesbians and gay women. Hopefully, there is something for everyone in this roundup.
These are the best dating apps for lesbians in 2024.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
The bisexual community has an inside joke that describes what it's like to date as a bi person: People think it means double the options or double the fun, but it really just means double the rejection.
Self-deprecating jokes like this one are at the core of the Single People Club regardless of sexuality, but bisexual people do face extra roadblocks in the dating world.
Yes, online dating sucks for everyone. Horny jerks disguise themselves as relationship seekers, your DMs are constantly filled with bad pickup lines and overly persistent creeps, and many times, the site's algorithm ignores the filters that you've set. But the fact that there are no dating sites that cater specifically to bi people means that they're frequently swiping on people who don't take bisexuality seriously.
The "B" in LGBTQ+ makes up 50 percent of the queer community, but it's one of the least-acknowledged letters in the acronym. There are dating sites for lesbians and dating sites for gay men, but nothing specifically for those who identify as bisexual. What makes the bi dating landscape — especially the online one — so tricky to manoeuvre?
What is unicorn hunting?One of the most antiquated stereotypes about bisexual people is that they're always down to get physical and down for polyamory. "Unicorn" is a term used to describe a bisexual person (usually a woman) who sleeps with heterosexual couples. In online dating, unicorn hunting is when a straight, taken female user toggles that she's "looking for women" — not genuinely looking for a girl to get to know romantically, but rather for a girl interested in a threesome with her and her boyfriend or husband or whoever. Of course, they don't mention this until later.
SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for womenNo one is saying that threesomes are bad. Reddit users who have experienced this mention that they don't have a problem with "ethical non-monogamy." They have a problem with being tricked into it.
Are bisexuals welcome on heteronormative apps?Another frequent bisexual experience is one that all women face online, now heightened by the mere mention of "bi" in a dating app bio: men being creepy. Too many straight men have yet to grasp the concept that bisexuality is not a green light to ask a stranger how many girls they've been with or if she likes men or women better.
Catfishing is also an issue. Some men have such a rabid obsession with queer women that they'll sign up for a dating site as a woman just to see an all-women swiping field. It's a total privacy breach at the least, and certainly doesn't boost your willingness to meet up with someone in real life. Many dating sites are working to increase transparency about first name and age by requiring Facebook verification during sign-up.
Are queer dating apps inviting to bisexual users?Does "gold star lesbian" ring a bell? The delineation is given to lesbians who have never slept with a man. Countless bisexual women have reported being ghosted after disclosing that they have been with a guy before, and profiles with "gold stars only" in the bio have popped up, too.
This crowd of Reddit users explain the ways they've experienced biphobia on gay or lesbian dating sites. They've been told that they're not "actually bisexual" if they haven't been with anyone of the same gender before or that they're "basically straight" if their most recent relationship was a heterosexual one. Summed up: if you're not monosexually gay, it's a cop-out. Invalidating someone's sexual experiences is the opposite of the supportive sex-positivity that you'd expect from inside the queer community, and it contributes to many bisexual folks' struggles of not feeling queer enough.
Should you put "bi" in your dating app bio?Adding those two simple letters to your bio will draw some unwanted attention, and it's going to be a pain in the ass. But in the long run, it'll also act like a filter to weed out people who try to put sexual orientation into a box.
The idea that being bisexual is just a pit stop to being "fully-blown gay" — or that it means that you're attracted to everyone you see — probably aren't thoughts you'd prefer a partner to have. They're especially not opinions you'd like to hear about months down the road from someone you thought you knew well. The easiest way to ensure that you won't be left heartbroken over someone not accepting your sexuality? Let them know from the jump.
"Coming out" over and over again is unfair. But doing so right off the bat also acts as an early screening for people who identify as bi but say they wouldn't date another bi person — something that a lot of bi men experience from bi women.
Can you actually find a relationship online?Do bisexual people get dealt a tough hand on dating apps? Yes. Does that mean meeting someone special online is impossible? Absolutely not. A 2017 study cited in the MIT Technology Review found that people who meet online are more likely to be compatible and have a higher chance of a healthy marriage if they decide to get hitched. Further, a 2019 study done at Stanford found that nearly two-thirds of modern same-sex couples meet online.
It sucks that there's no legit dating app specifically devoted to bi individuals and other singles who respect what it means to be bi — yet. However, this also means that a good portion of other single bi folks are probably on those popular dating apps that you've considered. At least you know the user base is there.
What is the best dating app for bisexual people?There are a lot of dating apps out there, each offering a different set of features that will suit some daters better than others. To help you find something that suits you and your lifestyle, we have lined up a selection of standout options that should suit just about everyone.
These are the best dating apps for bisexual people in 2024.
BBC iPlayer is one of the most popular streaming sites in the UK. Users get access to a wide range of dramas, original shows, and much more on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. BBC iPlayer is also ad free, which is a nice bonus that we're sure everyone can appreciate.
The only catch is that if you're travelling or not permanently based in the UK, BBC iPlayer will recognise that you're not in its catchment area and immediately block you. To bypass this frustrating blockade, you will need to use a VPN. These cybersecurity services can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in the UK, which tricks BBC iPlayer into thinking you are based in the country. This quick and easy process maintains access to everything that BBC iPlayer has to offer.
The key message is that if you want to keep up to speed with all your favourite shows on BBC iPlayer, you are going to need a VPN. But which VPN is the best for unblocking and watching BBC iPlayer? We'll get to that after answering a few of the most important questions concerning the world of VPNs.
What is a VPN?Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are powerful security tools that provide protection for your identity and data by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. The best way to visualise a VPN is to think of it like an encrypted tunnel through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.
Do you need a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer?You can continue to watch BBC content when you're outside of the UK by downloading your favourite shows on the iPlayer app before you depart the country. This is a solid move for any movies or shows that have already been released in full. However, this method does not help with shows that are still being released or live sports.
To keep up with this kind of entertainment, your only option is to use a VPN.
Can you watch BBC iPlayer from abroad?If you think accessing BBC iPlayer abroad is going to be tricky with a VPN, think again. It's actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand:
Sign up to a streaming-friendly VPN
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Log in to BBC iPlayer to watch live content and your favourite shows on demand
You could be anywhere in the world, but the process remains the same.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?There are a lot of VPNs out there that can reliably access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world, but which is the best service for you? To help you find something that ticks your boxes, we've handpicked a selection of the very best streaming-friendly services for everyone.
ExpressVPN can be found at the top of this roundup for a number of reasons: it has a streaming-friendly interface, security focused features, and strong connection speeds. All of this provides users with a straightforward and speedy streaming experience. That's not to say that ExpressVPN will suit everyone best, and the likes of Surfshark, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN will appeal to many users.
These are the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2024.
Over the years, I’ve trained myself to only use one monitor.
That may seem counterproductive to the millions of people out there who can’t live without a second (or third) screen at their workstations, but it works for me. It gives me more desk space, saves me money, and helps discourage digital clutter. And thanks to Plugable’s new $199 portable USB-C monitor, my hard-fought habits might have to finally die.
Plugable, a brand normally associated with docking stations, has entered the monitor game with a portable display that just works. You plug a cable into the monitor, and into your laptop, and that’s it.
High-end professionals might have needs that extend beyond what this thing can do, but for many, it's a godsend — thanks to its extreme portability, simplistic ease of use, and versatility.
SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review: Battery life so epic, you'll ghost your charger Plugable portable monitor price and specs It's a good looking monitor. Credit: Joe Maldonado /.MashableWhen you plunk down $200 on Plugable’s display debut, this is what you get:
15.6-inch LED display with 16:9 aspect ratio and 60Hz refresh rate
USB-C ports (3)
Normally when listing device specs, I’d include things like processors, cameras, and battery life, but hey, the Plugable monitor doesn’t really have any of those things. It’s…just a monitor, for better or worse. The $199 package also includes an attached travel cover that also acts like a stand, and a USB-C-to-USB-C cable that will make the whole thing work in the first place.
Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado /.Mashable Plugable Monitor Get Deal Plugable portable monitor design The travel cover is great. Credit: Alex Perry/MashableIn keeping with the product’s overall simplicity, Plugable’s portable monitor also doesn’t have much going on design-wise. It’s a big, black rectangle that displays whatever you want it to display. Easy enough!
This is a good thing, as it’s extremely easy to figure out how to use the Plugable portable monitor without any kind of quick start guide or instruction manual, though the device comes with one of those in case you need it, too. There are no ports, buttons, nor features on three of the display’s four sides. On the right side, you’ll find buttons for controlling brightness and switching between picture modes, as well as three USB-C ports that do a variety of things that we’ll get to later.
Plugable also included a travel cover with the device that attaches magnetically — and as far as I can tell — stays that way. The cover is also designed to be used as a stand for the monitor in the absence of another one. In all, even with the cover on, the monitor is about 1.8 pounds in weight. You won’t even notice it in your backpack, which is lovely.
This is the source of my first problem (of very few) with the Plugable monitor: It can be hard to find the right vertical angle for it. You can fold the cover into a stand in a variety of ways (such as by laying it out flat on the desk or folding it up into a triangular shape), but in each configuration, your options are pretty limited. Put simply, the monitor is almost always going to be angled slightly upward, not unlike a laptop display. If you would prefer something more head-on, a traditional second monitor setup is probably the way to go.
Plugable portable monitor display You can use portrait mode if you like, but the travel cover won't work as a stand. Credit: Joe Maldonado/MashableThis thing wouldn’t matter if the screen weren’t any good, right? Thankfully, Plugable did just enough to earn a passing grade here.
The 15.6-inch, 16:9 monitor is basically the perfect size as a laptop companion, as it’s as big (if not a little bigger) than most laptop displays. Its 300 nits of peak brightness are more than good enough for indoor office space usage, and the 1080p resolution is right in line with the expectations for a cheap-ish portable monitor, if not exactly awe-inspiring.
Some may be disappointed to hear the refresh rate maxes out at 60Hz. In a vacuum, I would be, too, but there are other things to consider. First, this device relies entirely on USB-C for image output. And finally, there just aren’t that many things the average professional needs a 120Hz refresh rate for, if we accept the premise that this monitor is mostly intended for work.
Folks who do video-centric jobs that might require a higher refresh rate should probably look elsewhere.
If I have one major gripe with the Plugable monitor’s display, it’s the less-than-ideal viewing angles. When looking at the display head-on, everything is sharp and clear, but when looking at it from a slight angle to the side or above, it becomes harder to see. This is a problem as old as displays themselves, so I’m not meaning to single out Plugable here, but I did notice it, especially in conjunction with the physical angle problems I had with the stand.
Plugable portable monitor features This image from Plugable's website demonstrates how power pass-through works. Credit: PlugableI should probably mention how exactly this thing works, huh?
Fortunately, it doesn’t take too many words to do so: Plug the provided USB-C cable into a port on your computer that supports video output. If you have a relatively modern laptop, that shouldn’t be a problem. Then, plug the other end into the bottom USB-C port on the monitor, which is helpfully labeled “Host” on the monitor itself.
After a few seconds, you’ll have a perfectly functioning second display. On a MacBook, you’ll have to briefly give the monitor permission to work the first time, but that’s literally the only bit of friction I had with the entire experience. It’s so remarkably simple that you’ll instantly hate any other monitor you’ve ever had to set up that gave you even the slightest bit of trouble in the process.
But that’s not all! Remember those other two USB-C ports I mentioned earlier? You can use those while the monitor is connected to your laptop (or phone or tablet) for a variety of things. The top port allows you to connect and use other USB-C devices, such as portable speakers, while the middle port functions as a passthrough for charging your laptop, ensuring the display stays powered.
That last bit is especially useful because, in the absence of a power adapter, the Plugable monitor will drain your laptop’s battery in order to power itself. There's no onboard battery in the monitor. In fairness, though, I didn’t notice a huge amount of power drain on my M2 MacBook Air, and found it perfectly safe to use the monitor for long stretches without plugging in.
Your mileage may vary depending on what kind of laptop you have, though.
Plugable portable monitor performance Just try not to touch this part. Credit: Joe Maldonado/MashableAs far as performance is concerned, almost everything is in order. I didn’t notice any kind of connectivity issues in my time with the Plugable portable monitor. When it’s connected to your laptop, it stays that way — and the video signal doesn’t ever get interrupted as far as I can tell.
The only performance issue worth noting is that the corner of the monitor where the three USB-C ports lie can get very warm to the touch after even a short usage session. The first time I tested the monitor at home, I was shocked at how hot it was after about 20 minutes of watching football highlights on YouTube.
It’s not a dangerous or concerning level of heat, but it's worth mentioning. To Plugable’s credit, I suppose, the heat is localized entirely to that corner of the device and doesn’t permeate the whole chassis.
Is the Plugable portable monitor worth it?Plugable’s debut in the monitor space isn’t mind-blowing or revolutionary, as there are other cheap portable monitors out there. Plenty of them come in at $100 or less, too, so Plugable doesn’t exactly win on price, either.
But what Plugable does have is a trustworthy brand name and a device that I can confirm works exactly as intended. It’s just so stunningly easy to get the Plugable monitor up and running and doing exactly what you want it to do. You don’t need a chunky HDMI cable or a power adapter (though you can use one if you want) — you just need a host device and a USB-C cable.
I’d like to see future iterations of this product with higher resolutions and better refresh rates, but for now, Plugable’s first portable monitor is an impressive debut.
Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado /.Mashable Plugable portable monitor $199.99 at AmazonTL;DR: This 2019 Microsoft suite bundle gives you lifetime access to Microsoft Office, Windows 11 Pro, Project, and Visio for just $71.94. No more worrying about Microsoft 365 outages.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle: Office, Project, Visio and Windows 11 Pro $71.94Tired of relying on Microsoft 365 just to deal with another outage?
With this All-in-One 2019 Microsoft suite, you’ll never be left hanging because your software is already 100% yours, on your computer, for life. Instead of renting your productivity tools, why not own them outright with a permanent license?
For just $71.94 through September 29, you can get lifetime access to all the essentials you need to get work done — Microsoft Office, Project, Visio, and Windows 11 Pro — and no need to worry about cloud disruptions or service issues.
This bundle includes Windows 11 Pro, giving your PC a complete operating system upgrade. Whether you're multitasking with Snap Layouts or tightening security with BitLocker and TPM 2.0, you'll get a faster, more secure experience. For gamers, there’s DirectX 12 Ultimate to make sure your graphics are top-notch.
In terms of productivity, Microsoft Office 2019 is packed with everything from Word to Excel for tackling professional projects. Need to manage complex workloads? Project 2019 has you covered, making team collaboration and project tracking easy. And if you're looking to create flowcharts or diagrams, Visio 2019 integrates seamlessly with Office, giving your presentations and plans a professional edge.
Why deal with interruptions when you can own it all? Grab this bundle now, and never worry about subscriptions or outages again.
Until September 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office, Project, Visio and Windows 11 Pro on sale for just $71.94.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Make music in seconds with lifetime access to Supermusic AI on sale for $39.97 (reg. $319).
Opens in a new window Credit: Supermusic Supermusic AI: Lifetime Subscription $39.97Ever wished you could write a song about [x]? Supermusic AI makes it easy to bring your musical ideas to life, with no training required.
Get lifetime access to this powerful tool for only $39.97 (reg. $319) if you purchase by 11:59 p.m. PT on August 25.
Turn an idea into a song in secondsWhether you're a hobbyist experimenting with different genres or a content creator in need of original tracks, Supermusic AI’s “prompt-to-song” feature allows you to craft unique songs in minutes. Simply choose a style, input your ideas, and watch as AI turns them into studio-quality tracks.
From pop and jazz to electronic or niche genres, Supermusic AI can handle it all. Want a high-energy dance track or a smooth, jazzy background for your video project? Supermusic's cutting-edge AI models ensure the music isn’t just passable, but sounds like it was produced in a professional studio.
While the AI takes care of most of the work, you’re still in control. Supermusic AI lets you adjust tempo, tweak melodies, and fine-tune every detail, ensuring each track matches your exact vision.
Best of all, there's no need for monthly subscriptions or expensive software. With this one-time purchase, you’ll have everything you need to keep making music for years.
Bring your musical ideas to life with Supermusic AI. Secure lifetime access to Supermusic AI today for just $39.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Get a monster of a cloud storage deal: Grab 20TB of storage for life at only $79.97 (reg. $1,494) when you sign up for Prism Drive at the Mashable Shop.
Safe, reliable, and flexible storage is more important than ever. Whether you're backing up precious family memories or securing critical business data, having the right cloud storage is key. Prism Drive offers the solution, with up to 20TB of secure cloud storage available for lifetime access at just $79.97 — over a $1,000 discount from the usual price.
Don't need 20TB of storage space? Lifetime access to Prism Drive's 2TB, 5TB, and 10TB plans are also on sale at the Mashable Shop.
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Don’t leave your digital life unsecured. Get a unified storage solution for all your files with a 20TB Prism Drive secure cloud storage deal for $79.97 (reg. $1,494).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Prism Drive Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (20TB) $79.97 at the Mashable ShopTL;DR: Charge three Apple devices at once with a 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad, now on sale for $26.97 (reg. $69.99).
Smart devices make life easier, but keeping them charged can be a hassle. If you travel with multiple devices, you know the annoyance of bringing a different charger for each one. And if you've ever found a tangled mess of USB-C cables in your bag, you know how frustrating it can be to keep everything organized.
If you're trying to pack light, the 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad is a perfect solution. This compact charging station folds neatly to the size of a wallet, even while it powers up your devices. Plus, it's currently on sale for $27.99 at the Mashable Shop, though that deal won’t last long.
A traveler's chargerA perfect travel companion for your devices, this charging station lets you power up to three gadgets at once, yet it folds into a compact square for easy storage. The station includes modules for phones, headphones, and watches, offering 15W output for cell phones, 5W for AirPods, and 2.5W for Apple Watches. It's also MagSafe-compatible for your iPhone and Apple Watch.
This power station is equipped with built-in safety features like over-voltage protection, over-current protection, short-circuit protection, temperature control, and foreign object detection, giving you peace of mind while your devices power up.
Save space and keep your batteries full with a folding wireless charger. Get the 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad on sale for $26.97 (reg. $69.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad $26.97 at the Mashable ShopA 60th birthday is a big milestone. Retirement is (hopefully!) on the horizon and the hustle and chaos of life is about to veer in the direction of relaxation, travel, setting your own schedule, and cultivating passions.
To honor this new phase of life, we’ve come up with 24 perfect 60th birthday gifts, from budget to splurge-worthy that will make your birthday person smile and shake their head at their good fortune — you always pick out the most perfect presents.
Electric kettle Credit: Govee / AmazonThis kettle is truly the gold standard for tea lovers of all ilks. An app helps set temperatures exactly where you need them for various brews, and the gooseneck spout provides the most lovely, consistent pour ever.
Opens in a new window Credit: Govee / Amazon Govee Smart Electric Kettle $63.99 at AmazonHelp make sunny days in their backyard even more delightful with this traditional, old-school croquet set. “Off with their head!” calls are optional.
Opens in a new window Credit: ApudArmis / Amazon ApudArmis Six Player Croquet Set $45.99 at AmazonNordic Track Treadmill Credit: NordicTrack / Amazon
This treadmill and the companion iFit software will transform their workout life. Take a (virtual) run up the slopes of Mount Fuji with immersive, cinematic verite, or increase endurance with HIIT sessions where they can vary speed and incline.
Opens in a new window Credit: NordicTrack / Amazon NordicTrack T Series Treadmill at AmazonAre they a little bit clay-curious? Pottery, especially wheel throwing, has become hugely popular recently because it forces you to Focus. On. One. Thing. An incredible gift to give someone who spends most of their life as a masterful multi-tasker.
Opens in a new window Credit: VEVOR / Amazon VEVOR Pottery Wheel $149.59 at AmazonFor the golfer who has everything, small luxuries can make all the difference. That’s where this magnetic divot fixer and cigar holder comes in. This gadget keeps their stogie safe and secure while they set up their next drive.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dynasty Golf / Amazon Golf divot tool and cigar holder at AmazonThe magic of new family photos or videos (up to 15 seconds long) appearing on their digital picture frame is hard to overstate. The connected app means they can program the lineup themselves, or you can take over the reigns and surprise them with new snaps as they happen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Canupdog / Amazon Digital Picture Frame at AmazonBose Noise Cancelling Headphones Credit: Bose / Amazon
A really nice pair of noise-canceling headphones is a luxury that soon feels like a necessity. Incredible fidelity when they want to queue up their favorite podcast or Spotify playlist and sweet silence when they just want to block out the world.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose / Amazon Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones at AmazonYou can never have too many Alexas. Sure they probably have one in their kitchen already, but getting another one means they can get the latest weather while they’re actually getting ready in the bedroom, or play “question of the day” while they wind down in the living room at night.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot $34.99 at AmazonKnitted from super soft, chunky, chenille yarn, this will be the blanket they reach for on the couch, in the reading chair, or at the foot of the bed. Pair it with a cute mug and some tea and it’s a self care moment in the making.
Opens in a new window Credit: YnM / Amazon YnM Chunky Throw Blanket at AmazonSelf care comes in many forms, and one of them is most definitely aromatic. This diffuser is controlled by an app, which means they can toggle on and on from the comfort of the bathtub. Win.
Opens in a new window Credit: ASAKUKI / Amazon Essential Oil Diffuser $21.23 at AmazonThis teeny, tiny white noise machine is the size of an egg so they can bring perfect slumber wherever they roam. With 16 sounds, USB recharging, and a glowy on button that means they don’t need to fumble in the dark to turn it on.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dreamegg / Amazon White Noise Sound Machine $18.99 at AmazonThere is nothing worse than going for that sip and gagging on now-freezing coffee in their morning mug. No more! This 14-ounce electric version keeps their caffeine delivery at the perfect temperature all day long, whether that’s “warm,” “hot,” or “piping” (they choose).
Opens in a new window Credit: Nextboom / Amazon Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating Coffee Mug $99.95 at AmazonAs lovely as they are functional, these can take up permanent residence on the dining room table, or also be used to easily grind less conventional dried spices like cardamom or cinnamon. They are completely rechargeable, which means there is literally no excuse for under-seasoned dinners.
Opens in a new window Credit: LARS NYSØM / Amazon Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set $49.99 at AmazonHelp ensure that sleep comes as swiftly and soundly as it did in their 20s with this plush, enveloping sleep mask. Super soft and breathable, this one has extra fabric on the bridge of the nose making sure no light sneaks in. Pair it with a night away at an aesthetic AirBnB and you’re in business.
Opens in a new window Credit: Mavogel / Amazon Sleep Mask at AmazonGood luggage can feel splurge-y, which is why it's a great gift for the avid traveler on your list. This spinner from Delsey harkens back to vintage styles but has all the modern bells and whistles, like TSA-approved combination locks and interior compartments for hanging clothes and shoes.
Opens in a new window Credit: DELSEY Paris / Amazon DELSEY Paris Chatelet Hard + Hardside Luggage at AmazonSomehow the bathrobes in fancy hotels are always the best – the softest, the most luxurious. Now you can gift a Marriot terry cloth robe to your favorite birthday person and make them feel like they’re on vacation every time they step out of the shower.
Opens in a new window Credit: Marriott / Amazon Marriott Terry Velour Robe $89.10 at AmazonHow long has it been since they’ve invested in a new kindle? The latest paperwhite versions have larger displays, extended battery life, and easier page turn. Those Collen Hoover books won’t read themselves!
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite at AmazonThese slippers are everything. Fluffy, cozy and with treads for the occasional impromptu dog walk, these shoes are what indulgent Saturday mornings are made of.
Opens in a new window Credit: EverFoams / Amazon EverFoams Soft Slippers at AmazonThis is a charcuterie board on steroids. Complete with a main board and three side boards, plus carving utensils, dip bows, and a wine opener. You better get an invite to their next shindig.
Opens in a new window Credit: SMIRLY / Amazon Charcuterie Board Gift SetIt’s an influencer darling, but for good reason. This backpack/purse/workbag sized gadget takes grungy lenses and makes them like new again with just a few swipes.
Opens in a new window Credit: Peeps / Amazon Carbon Klean Peeps Glasses Cleaner at AmazonThis fun dessert maker solves an important problem – when you want one seving of ice cream only. The special person on your list can churn their own ice cream in their flavor of choice and 20 minutes later dig into the goodness. Oh, there’s also a special chute for adding mix-ins. We’re sold.
Opens in a new window Credit: DASH / Amazon DASH My Mug Ice Cream Maker Machine at AmazonYes its a bit of a splurge, but isnt that what birthdays are for? A Dyson hand vac will transform the cleaning game, ensuring no rogue dog hair or popcorn kernel is ever safe again.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson / Amazon Dyson Humdinger Handheld Vacuum Cleaner at AmazonHelp them conquer their late-night scrolling addiction with this perfect little book light. It hooks right onto their current page-turner, recharges in a jiff, and isn't bright enough to disturb their sleeping partner.
Opens in a new window Credit: Gritin / Amazon Gritin 9 LED Rechargeable Book Light $14.99 at AmazonIt's all happening! Someone you love is turning 21, and it's time to find them the perfect birthday gift.
Let's not beat around the bush: For many people, 21 is the official birthday of booze, so a booze-related gift may be in order. Luckily, there are plenty of possibilities here, from pretty wine stoppers to classic cocktail books.
Not everyone wants to ring in 21 with a cocktail, though. For non-drinkers and drinkers alike, 21 is also an opportunity to fully embrace adulthood in all its messy glory. This might mean a fun and goofy gift or a staple gift designed to last a lifetime — whatever you think will set your favorite 21-year-old up for success as they approach their most important birthday. This is, of course, 22, when they'll get to sing that Taylor Swift song for 24 hours straight.
Here are our picks for the best 21st birthday gifts.
Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag Credit: Baggu / AmazonFor the Fashion-Forward Friend: Grab them a versatile nylon Baggu in their favorite color — we especially like Candy Apple and Lapis. This size will hold their keys, wallet, a book, and a small water bottle, making it a great everyday bag.
Opens in a new window Credit: Baggu / Amazon BAGGU Medium Nylon Crescent Bag at AmazonFor the Host: Send them into their 21st year with a wealth of cocktail knowledge. This comprehensive book includes recipes for classics (think martinis and Manhattans) as well as funkier, more modern options.
Opens in a new window Credit: Cider Mill Press / Amazon The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails (Second Edition): Over 400 Classic Drink Recipes With Great Writing from The New York $21.99 at AmazonFor the Wine Lover: If they'll be drinking wine, they'll need wine stoppers — and you can't get much cuter than a little pair of golden lemons. Of course, we recommend gifting these alongside an actual bottle for maximum celebratory effect.
Opens in a new window Credit: Folkulture / Amazon Folkulture Wine Stopper at AmazonFor the Busy Bee: If you really want to make their twenties easier (and if you're ready to splurge), take a chore off their plate with a Roomba. This one works well on hard floors and carpets and is especially clutch for cleaning up pet hair. It's also adept at avoiding obstacles like cords.
Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot / Amazon iRobot Roomba j7 (7150) Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum $299.99 at AmazonFor the Decorator: Help them get their home bar setup started with this pretty set of scalloped shot glasses with elegant gold rims. They're attractive enough to display on a bar cart, so they're great for people with an eye for design and limited cabinet space.
Opens in a new window Credit: Thyme & Table / Amazon Thyme & Table 4-Piece Scalloped Shot Glass Set at WalmartFor the Introvert: A key lesson of early adulthood: Sometimes, you just need to drown out the noise. Help them get there with a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. This particular pair is known for being extra comfortable, so they can be worn for long stretches without the dreaded headphones headache.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose / Amazon Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones at AmazonFor the Apple Fan: Or, if they're more of an earbuds person, grab them a pair of second-gen AirPods. They have noise-canceling and "transparency" modes, so users can choose how much of the world they want to let in.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple / Amazon Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $199.00 at AmazonFor the TJ's Encyclopedia: Trader Joe's fans take their favorite grocery store very seriously. Help them make the most of this week's finds with this collection of 150 budget-friendly recipes. (We're especially intrigued by the brie and pear galette.)
Opens in a new window Credit: Ulysses Press / Amazon The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook $10.99 at AmazonFor the Picnicker: This Yeti tumbler will let them enjoy their wine outdoors without worrying about breaking a delicate glass. In true Yeti fashion, it'll also keep cold drinks cold for hours — which means it's also great for iced coffee or tea.
Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti /Amazon Yeti Rambler Wine Tumbler with MagSlider Lid at AmazonFor the Margarita Drinker: Margarita nights will reach new heights with this stainless steel cocktail rimmer, which will help them crank out perfectly salty glasses with ease. They can toss it right in the dishwasher when the party's over.
Opens in a new window Credit: Outset / Amazon Outset Stainless Steel Cocktail Rimmer at AmazonFor the Backyard Chiller: If they're entertaining outside, help them keep a bottle cold with this Yeti wine chiller. (Yes, it fits most champagne bottles.) We particularly like the silicone ring at its base, which keeps it from slipping and sliding around the table.
Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti / Amazon Yeti Rambler Wine Chiller at AmazonFor the Efficient Traveler: If they're spending their early twenties jet-setting — or planning a long-distance move — help them pack efficiently with a set of nylon packing cubes. This set of five will fit neatly into most carry-on bags.
Opens in a new window Credit: MUMI / Amazon MUMI Packing Cubes, Set of 5 at AmazonFor the Jetsetter: For the jet-setting skincare enthusiast, consider this scented body care set from Sol de Janeiro, which includes body wash, cream, and perfume mist in a travel case — all in TSA-friendly sizes, naturally.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sol de Janeiro / Amazon Sol de Janeiro Jet Set at AmazonFor the Hard Seltzer Fan: As an insulator, this cooler cup from Hydro Flask can fit most cans and bottles of beer, seltzer, and soda. It can also be used as a cup on its own, is dishwasher-safe on the top rack, and can fit into most cupholders.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hydro Flask / Amazon Hydro Flask Cooler Cup $19.98 at AmazonFor the Always-Prepared: They might need a little TLC after their 21st birthday bash — no shame in that. This "unwind" kit includes all the essentials for relaxation, including a sleep mask, pillow spray, bookmark, silk scrunchie, face roller, shower steamer, and facial towelettes.
Opens in a new window Credit: Pinch Provisions / Amazon Pinch Provisions Be Kind UnWind Kit at AmazonFor the Gamer: The Nintendo Switch Lite is the ultimate console for gaming on the go. It's lightweight, cute, and packable. Just grab them a copy of Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley along with the console, and they'll be in business.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo / Amazon Nintendo Switch Lite $185.99 at AmazonFor the Chronically Late: Help them become a watch person with this gold-tone Casio number. It has alarm and timer features — subtle hints to the friend who just can't seem to make it to any social gathering on time.
Opens in a new window Credit: Casio / Amazon Casio Women's Vintage Watch $26.29 at AmazonFor the Writer: Gift them a handsome little Moleskine notebook — which comes in dotted, plain, ruled, and squared versions — to jot down their innermost 21-year-old thoughts. Or their acceptance speech.
Opens in a new window Credit: Moleskine / Amazon Moleskine Cahier Journal $12.25 at AmazonFor the Playlist Maker: This handy little speaker is waterproof, which makes it ideal for the pool or the beach. It also has a built-in carabiner, so they can hook it to their backpack, bike, camp chair, or — if they're feeling bold — their belt loop.
Opens in a new window Credit: JBL / Amazon JBL Clip 5 Portable Speaker $69.95 at AmazonFor the Fancy Friend: Another elegant addition to their home bar setup is this glass ice bucket, which comes with a gold pair of ice tongs. It doubles as a nice piece of home decor when they're not constantly chilling champagne bottles (understandable at this age).
Opens in a new window Credit: Le'raze / Amazon Glass Ice Bucket $31.99 at AmazonFor the Picnicker: If they love a good picnic in the park, consider this packable blanket from Pendleton, which folds nicely into a tote for easy transport. It also has two big pockets in case they need to tote around a few other supplies.
Opens in a new window Credit: Pendleton / Amazon https://zdcs.link/Qp6VD0 at AmazonTL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Rugby Championship has been typically explosive, with some massive performances and surprise results. Australia have not impressed in this year's competition, and went down 67-27 in their last game against Argentina.
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A film that's as much about its own gimmick as what that gimmick represents, Aaron Schimberg's A Different Man casts Sebastian Stan as Edward, a man with pronounced facial differences that he eventually sheds through a miracle cure. However, when a now traditionally handsome Edward is cast in a play about his own life, the thorny question of artistic representation is broached in discomforting and hilarious ways.
The film doesn't just draw attention to its decision to cast a pretty Hollywood face as a man with neurofibromatosis. That would be too easy an escape hatch, and too superficial a character study. Instead, it further complicates its questions of optics and politics by having a real actor with the same condition as Edward play a significant role in the film: Adam Pearson, who is known for appearing in Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin, after which he became a public advocate against "disfigurement stigma." Pearson also starred in Schimberg's 2018 film Chained For Life.
Pearson’s charismatic arrival, as a man who threatens to usurp the role of Edward from himself, sends Edward down a surreal emotional spiral. This on-screen clash of fiction and reality not only forces a strange, poignant self-reflection — for Edward, and for the film as a whole — but it also creates an fascinating meta-text that tells its own story about the actors in the film. It's as much a tale of outward appearance as it is inner anxieties, a balance Schimberg strikes in careful ways as he crafts a stunning, distinctly New York comedy-drama about seeing oneself.
What is A Different Man about? Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson star in "A Different Man." Credit: Berlinale Film FestivalAs Edward mopes around his apartment building, avoiding interactions as best he can, neighbors and various handymen alternatingly stare and offer polite but forced nods, as though it takes them special effort to avoid mentioning his differences. Edward is an actor, and not an altogether terrible one, though his roles are limited — not only by his appearance, but by his utter lack of self-confidence. Edward is halfway between invisible and hyper-visible; some don't see him as fully human or as a viable romantic interest, while others stop and stare. He exists in limbo, trudging along day by day in his cramped, dilapidated New York apartment, which Schimberg and cinematographer Wyatt Garfield capture with a sense of grimy texture.
When Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), an attractive wannabe playwright from Europe, moves in next door, Edward's prospects finally seem to change. After an initial skepticism, she takes a curious interest in him, and even offers to write a play for him to star in. However, his lack of conversational skills can't help but create an awkward dynamic whenever they chat, as though he were some pet project for her to foster. Whatever the reality, Edward's hunched-over body language and mousey demeanor hint at a kind of emotional impenetrability, as though he'll read the worst in any situation because it's the treatment he's come to expect.
When a radical medical procedure verging on sci-fi body horror promises him a new life, Edward takes advantage of it in a very literal way, using his new face to start a brand new life and "killing off" the old Edward as though he were a fictional character. Time goes by, and he finds professional success in real estate — a forward-facing career — as a handsome man named Guy. But upon discovering Ingrid has written a play about his life, his curiosity gets the better of him, and he auditions with the help of a flimsy prosthetic mask.
Although Ingrid intends to cast someone with facial differences in the role, which she insists she didn't base on any real person, Guy's performance convinces her that he’s a miraculously a perfect fit, despite the fact that he doesn't have any facial differences. He embodies all of Edward's gestures and his physical and emotional anguish, even in scenes where Ingrid imagines conversations and inner monologues that don't match what we’ve seen unfold between them in previous scenes, back when Guy was still Edward. The play, it seems, is born from Ingrid’s limited, patronizing perspective on Edward. The more this stage production goes on, the more Edward is forced to reckon with the past, and with realizations the film presents through stark, unsettling zooms into his bewildered expression. Despite having a new face, he may still be the same lonely, miserable person on the inside; perhaps now more than ever, since now he has no one with whom he can share the truth about who he once was.
Sebastian Stan delivers an impeccable performance. Credit: A24As an actor playing two versions of a character, and subsequently playing a third, fictitious version — one he can't play too well, lest he be found out — Stan is shouldered with a monumentally complex task. The prosthetics used to craft his differences allow him to emote within reason, but posture and movement are the tools through which he constructs Edward.
Not only does Stan perfect the ticks and eccentricities of a decidedly average actor (i.e. the real Edward pre-procedure), but when he's reborn as Guy and cast as Ingrid's conception of Edward, he crafts a sense of metamorphosis and regression. As the traditionally good-looking Guy playing this Edward, he delves deep into the vulnerable anxieties the character had begun to suppress as part of his new life, if only to try and bring some amount of honesty to a role he believes is dishonest.
These multi-layered complexities yield fascinating scenes of rehearsal and rewriting, bringing to the fore the film's innate question of whether people far outside Edward's physical and emotional experience are capable of telling his story. Ironically, the side the movie seems to come down on is a hesitant "maybe not," at least as far as Ingrid is concerned. But Schimberg is not Ingrid, and he's under no delusions of passing off Edward as a work of pure imagination.
This is largely because to anyone who's seen Pearson before — whether in a movie, a TEDx Talk, or his numerous wrestling game show appearances — it's clear that Edward, played by Stan, is distinctly modeled off Pearson, and the story practically exists so that he can show up in some capacity. The very knowledge that Pearson is involved with the film, and that Schimberg has worked with him before, colors A Different Man in a new light, and brings a wholly external context to Stan's performance.
Of course, even without this knowledge, this context remains discomforting. Either way, Stan is playing a man he theoretically shouldn't be, the same way Guy wearing prosthetics to play Edward ought to be seen as ill-advised to those around him (due to the problematic nature of "performing" physical disability and of robbing a disabled actor of a rare opportunity). However, Guy's in-world explanation for Ingrid as to why he's able to so deeply tap into the character of Edward is illuminating too. He concocts a lie about having once been best friends with someone with facial differences, which he claims not only gives him license to tell this story but allows him to tell it intimately and empathetically.
This is likely akin to Schimberg's own reasoning too. Having become friends with Pearson after their collaboration on Chained For Life — a film that embodies similar debates — he has made an entire movie "about" him in numerous ways, treating him as both concept and human being... But who does Pearson play in the movie? Well, that's an entirely different delight.
While watching the film, one might be inclined to believe it features the best work of Stan's career; it even won him Berlin Film Festival's Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance. However, even this praise is designed to be second-guessed at the back of one's mind, since his role is one that projects a life of awkwardness and isolation onto Edward from people outside his experience — another idea the movie self-reflexively lampoons through debates between Guy and Ingrid. And just when it seems like this moral conundrum is one the film might avoid, it crafts an explosive alternative.
All of a sudden, Pearson shows up as an eccentric man named Oswald, an equally curious actor who stumbles upon Ingrid's production. From the moment he appears, he delivers a performance so radical in its conception that he fundamentally changes what A Different Man is even about.
Adam Pearson is the film's not-so-secret weapon. Credit: A24Between films like The Elephant Man and Schimberg's Chained for Life, facial differences on screen have been tied closely to pity and moroseness, an idea with which A Different Man constantly toys via Edward's story. However, for anyone familiar with the real Pearson — as Schimberg no doubt is — he appears to be fairly upbeat and well-adjusted, despite speaking about the bullying in his past. The film's plot is about a character with the same condition as Pearson, but Edward's reality doesn't seem to match Pearson's in the slightest. So, in order to further highlight this disconnect, Schimberg writes Pearson a role that swings toward a completely different extreme that vastly reimagines the type of roles that ought to be available to actors regardless of differences, facial or otherwise.
The moment Oswald appears, he passive aggressively comments on Ingrid's casting choice with his posh enunciation — Oswald, like Pearson, hails from London— a small detail that yanks the film in an even more head-spinning direction. Oswald is everything Edward wishes he could be: a brash playboy who reads people like a book, wears ostentatious shirts, and worms his way into social and professional circles with ease.
Pearson plays the role with slick, effortless panache. Each moment he's on-screen is incredibly exciting; Oswald swallows every scene whole, practically sapping Edward's energy as he's forced to confront an uncanny reflection of himself who represents truths he might not want to face. Is this who Edward could've been all along? And, more importantly, is the lie he's living worth it?
The more these questions torture Edward, the more surreal A Different Man becomes. Its very premise starts to feel like a fever dream, buoyed by escalating interpersonal tensions as Oswald forces his way into a consulting role on the play. Slowly but surely, he begins imposing his own, supposedly more "authentic" vision of Edward’s life on Edward's own story, until the question of whether or not Oswald should simply replace Guy in the play becomes unavoidable. The concept of authenticity is so stretched and contorted by these developments that it becomes thematic taffy, with no distinct or solid form.
However, as A Different Man piles layer upon layer of confounding complication, it remains emotionally true to itself, which is to say, both to Edward's increasingly paranoid self-reflection, and to Schimberg's scrutiny of his own work (both this film, as well as Chained For Life). The film neither shies away from its innate surrealness, nor hesitates to get its hands dirty when it comes to real and vital conversations on whose stories can and should be told (and more importantly, how), even though it reflects each of its thoughts on the subject through a funhouse mirror.
By grounding its story in a character drama first and foremost, A Different Man anchors its many plot zig-zags, and its anxieties about its own existence, to a tangible emotional reality. Schimberg walks a razor-thin line between sincere self-critique and gaudy exploitation, and in the process, practically erases the boundary between them. The end result reveals uncomfortably funny new modes of on-screen representation, expressed in ways both innovative and exciting.
A Different Man opens in limited release Sept. 20, before going nationwide on Oct. 4.
UPDATE: Sep. 18, 2024, 4:12 p.m. EDT A Different Man was originally reviewed out of the Berlin International Film Festival. This review, which was first published on March 2, 2024, has been updated to reflect its theatrical release.
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