Losing a sibling can be one of the most devastating traumas a human being can experience, especially if they were a twin. Writer, director, producer, and actor James Sweeney attempts to unpack the tragedy of losing a twin. But instead of taking the typical route of a dramedy bromance about two men bonding after a devastating loss, Sweeney goes for something darker, something twistier. His take on the genre will both break your heart and make your skin crawl.
We follow Roman (Dylan O’Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney), who meet at an emotional support group for people who’ve lost their twin. Roman recently lost his brother, Rocky, in a car accident, while Dennis has been living with the guilt of his brother’s death for over a year—he blames himself. The two bond quickly as they try to navigate their newfound loneliness together. They go grocery shopping, hit the gym, and even make a trip up to Seattle for a Kraken game, each trying to fill the void their twin left behind. But what starts off as a wholesome bromance about grieving slowly unravels into a nightmare that defies all expectations.
Despite not having a twin in real life, Sweeney clearly put in the work to understand the deep, almost indescribable bond between twins. Genetically, they’re the same person, but their personalities and attractions can be wildly different. Their connection runs deep, like, biological-level deep, and it continues to baffle scientists to this day. In our short time with Rocky, we see he’s incredibly self-confident, flamboyantly gay, and just a little bit narcissistic. Roman, on the other hand, is straighter than a ruler and battling some serious anger issues, seeing himself as “not exactly the brightest tool in the shed.” Both roles are played by Dylan O’Brien, who finally gets to shed the teen heartthrob label and show off some real acting chops in this dual performance. Then there’s Dennis, quirky, needy, but ultimately lovable. Sure, both Roman and Dennis have some major codependency issues, but it’s easy to see why these two would latch onto each other.
Sweeney walks a razor-thin line between heartfelt dramedy and unsettling psychological commentary, and for the most part, he pulls it off. On one side, the film explores grief and the deep emotional toll of codependency. What it means to lose the one person who truly understood you and how hard it is to navigate the world alone after their death. But underneath that, there’s a darker, more provocative thread running through the film: a commentary on fetishization, control, and the dangerous desire to mold someone into who you want them to be, rather than accepting them for who they actually are.
What’s impressive is how Sweeney manages to balance these two themes in a way that feels organic. The film is both heartwarming and quietly terrifying. It could have easily defaulted into a quirky buddy dramedy, maybe something sentimental, maybe even forgettable, but Sweeney chooses to dig deeper. He takes risks. He pushes boundaries. And honestly, I respect the hell out of that. Now, does everything land? Not entirely. There are definitely some moments that miss the mark, and the direction the story takes in the second half will almost definitely alienate some viewers. It gets weird. But in a good way, if you’re on board for the ride. It’s a bold swing, and even if it doesn’t connect with everyone, you can’t say it’s not trying to do something fresh. And for that reason alone, it’s a ride worth taking.
At the end of the day, Twinless isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, and honestly, that’s kind of the point. It’s messy, weird, emotionally raw, and deeply unsettling in ways you don’t fully see coming. But it’s also original, sharply written, and anchored by performances that genuinely surprise you. Sweeney swung for the fences with this one, and even when it stumbles, it’s never boring. If you’re into films that aren’t afraid to get a little uncomfortable while saying something real, then Twinless is absolutely worth your time.
My Rating: B+
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