Twinless (2025)
Directed by: James Sweeney
Premise: Roman (Dylan O’Brien) befriends Dennis (James Sweeney) in a support group for twins who have lost their sibling. Dennis has a secret history with Roman’s deceased brother.
What Works: Twinless begins in an interesting place. Roman and Dennis meet in a support group and become friends. Roman is straight and Dennis is gay but they enter into a comfortable platonic relationship. There is an underlying sexual tension that’s acted out well especially by James Sweeney as Dennis. The film questions whether these guys would have ever become friends under different circumstances and it’s an interesting idea. Their friendship takes a turn when Roman begins dating Marcie, who is Dennis’ coworker. This renders Dennis into a third wheel which causes him jealousy and anxiety. The triangular relationship is smartly written and well-acted and the three lead performers are very good. Dylan O’Brien is outstanding, primarily playing Roman but also playing his twin brother in a flashback sequence. Roman is repressing his grief and regret which O’Brien makes visible in the nonverbal parts of his performance. Aisling Franciosi is bubbly and fun as Marcie; her outward affability belies loneliness. James Sweeney, who also writes and directs the film, plays Dennis. He’s a bitter human being and Sweeney generally finds a balance between making the character empathetic and off-putting. Twinless is well shot by cinematographer Greg Cotton and skillfully edited by Nikola Boyanov. A party scene uses split images that are timed just right and the sequence of the characters touring a light and mirror exhibit is extraordinary.
What Doesn’t: If Twinless were straightforward with its premise and dramatized the subtleties of relationships this might be a more successful movie. Unfortunately, the filmmakers elaborate on that idea and push Twinless into canned and contrived storytelling. Dennis misrepresents himself. He does not have a deceased twin but Dennis did have a short-lived romantic relationship with Roman’s twin brother. The conceit of the movie is too unlikely to believe and as it develops the movie becomes increasingly ridiculous. It’s obvious where this little white lie scenario is going and the audience is left waiting for the truth to come out. In better versions of this storytelling cliché the lie is well intended and empathetic. Not so in Twinless. Dennis only knew Roman’s brother for a very short while and Dennis’ behavior comes across stalkerish and even deranged.
Bottom Line: Twinless has a lot in it that is impressive, especially its cinematography and core performances, but the filmmakers don’t trust the human relationships and layer on unnecessary and stupid plot complications.
Episode: #1065 (September 21, 2025)