Written by: James Sweeney
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney, Aisling Franciosi, Lauren Graham, Tasha Smith
Rating: [4/5]
For the universality we discover in our human lived experiences, there are some segments of the human population that are so singular. A distinction so unique that makes it so impactful when a film can dive into it and provide insight into something most of the world cannot experience. Twinless accomplishes this in the way it examines the dynamic between twins and the devastation that comes when one passes.
Attending a support group for twinless twins, Dennis (James Sweeney) meets Roman (Dylan O’Brien), and the two connect over their shared experience of losing their twin. As they begin this fruitful friendship, they learn more about each other’s lives with the possibility of some dishonesty lingering between them.
As someone who’s not a twin, I cannot imagine the experience one may have if one dies and leaves the other behind. It must come with a devastation that surpasses a regular sibling dynamic for reasons explained so eloquently in this film. Twins are mirror copies of each other with their own discernible differences, but this connection they hold starts in the womb and builds a bond unlike anything else. Seeing Dennis and Roman share about how much this has impacted them completely took me aback with its completely eye-opening level of grief that most of humanity simply will never experience in their lives. It makes for such meaningful conversations between the two.
Watching them navigate, they display quite the variance in personality that makes them an unlikely pairing. Roman has this typical male bravado to him, while Dennis certainly has this more effeminate side to him. It opens up the door for an intriguing look at male friendship, how it can develop, and the various dynamics on display that make them unique. When one thinks of the general male friendship, not often does one immediately think of one between a straight and a gay man. It’s not the default, but seeing the way everything flourishes between these two and how Dennis, who’s unafraid to demonstrate his emotion, allows someone like Roman to bring his walls down makes for something quite beautiful. This dynamic ultimately makes this film shine brightest, but it also has plenty under its sleeve that it unleashes upon us.
This element of surprise recontextualizes much of this film in the way we learn more about the intentions behind the meeting of these characters. It opens the door for real pain to be felt and a level of deception that can look sinister under a certain lens. What occurs comes with a level of surprise that has the risk of drawing audiences away from the sweetness most of this film seeks to display in the dynamic between the pair. If anything, it displays the messiness of individuals and how grief can lead individuals down dangerous roads when they cannot properly process what has happened to them.
As an actor, Dylan O’Brien has always put in solid performances, but he had never quite wowed me and excelled in a way that has made him stand out. That all changes after watching his dual performances in this film. The way he can portray two twin brothers who share the same genetics but could not be more different is impressive. It truly took me aback what he manages to channel through this film, where he can work in the playful arena but also in the soul-crushing sadness that comes with portraying Roman. He steps up to another level in this portrayal that only shows he will only continue to improve as a performer.
While O’Brien shined, James Sweeney also deserves a boatload of credit for what he crafts here. Not only does he shine in crafting such an emotionally impactful film, but he also displays his acting chops in his portrayal of Dennis. A complicated character that can very easily go wrong, Sweeney walks quite the tightrope in this character as we ebb and flow with the level of sympathy we hold for him. Couple that with the strong visuals on display, demonstrating he has such an artistic vision that only makes me more excited for what other works he will bestow upon us.
For such a small film, Twinless comes with a huge heart and some ideas it wants to process. Through watching it we feel the joy of friendship, the sadness of loss, and the fear of deception all wrapped up into a story with all elements firing properly. So many moments stand out that demonstrate that James Sweeney will be an individual to continue to appreciate as he gets more opportunities to move us as a storyteller. He gets the very best out of Dylan O’Brien, who gets to exhibit a range he has within him beyond anything else he has delivered as an actor thus far. A strong recommendation for this lovely little gem with so much to love and appreciate.
Films with Josh 
