This review was made possible by Popped recieving an screener copy of Twinless.
It’s been known for a while that Dylan O’Brien is an actor who has so much range, and we’ve all got to be thankful that we’re getting to see his face a lot more in our shows and films as he showcases this range. Twinless isn’t just a movie that holds O’Brien up, but also really expresses James Sweeney’s talent as a filmmaker and actor as he delivers this dark comedy that really sends a deep message about loneliness. It’s a movie that really digs into your mind and has you thinking to yourself about its characters.
What Is ‘Twinless’ About?
Twinless starts off with Rocky’s (O’Brien) funeral after he is killed in a car accident. We follow his twin brother, Roman (O’Brien), dealing with the aftermath of his brother’s death at a support group for people who have lost a twin; he comes across Dennis (Sweeney), who he forms a bond with.
The synopsis for Twinless is already enough to get you interested in what it has to offer. Before watching, I had the mindset that Twinless was a rom-com, but I was completely wrong after learning that it wasn’t really much of a romance but instead this dark comedy that deals with grief, loneliness and deception.
Direction and Script
Twinless marks James Sweeney’s second film that he’s starred in and directed after Straight Up, but with Twinless being my first impression of Sweeney as both a filmmaker and a performer, I’m left rather impressed that he’s able to bring so much to both roles. His stylistic way of shooting and editing the movie enhances Twinless, specifically with the relationship between Roman and Dennis, as he uses split screen to highlight the differences in each character’s emotion and life.
Sweeney delivers a magnificent script alongside his direction and performance, and it’s likely why everything works so well when it comes together. Twinless gives us a cast of characters who all come across as complex.
Characters and Performances
Roman is hurt and tormented by the death of his brother, struggling to keep the memory of him alive and positive while also subduing his rage, which would just make everything easier for him.
Rocky, a character we don’t spend much time with, is flirtatious and charismatic but also careless when it comes to the feelings of those around him and those who love him.
Dennis has many problems with himself that he struggles to come face to face with, making matters worse for himself as he digs a hole he’ll struggle to get out of but deep down is loving and supporting, even if it can be a bit overbearing.
While O’Brien gives a magnificent dual performance as Rocky and Roman, and Sweeney delivers a trifecta as Dennis, writer and director, it’s Aisling Franciosi who absolutely walks away as the star of the show. At first glance, she’s an energetic, bubbly and intelligent woman, but as the story moves along, Franciosi taps deep into her character and brings us one of the best scenes of the movie.
‘Twinless’ – Final Thoughts
Twinless is a superb showcase of how James Sweeney is able to write complex characters while also delivering excellent direction that allows the movie to speak to the audience in more ways than one. It’s a touching and heartbreaking story about how grief and loneliness can really take control of someone and the idiotic things that we may do just to get some connection in our lives.
Twinless is now streaming on Hulu in the US, and showing in UK cinemas. Check out a trailer below:
