Grief, Secrets, and a Friendship You Won’t Forget

Read Time:5 Minute, 10 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Twinless
–

Genre: Comedy, Drama
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 40m
Director(s): James Sweeney
Writer(s): James Sweeney
Cast: Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney, Aisling Franciosi, Chris Perfetti, François Arnaud, Tasha Smith, Lauren Graham, Susan Park, Cree
Where to Watch: in select theaters September 5, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: James Sweeney’s TWINLESS takes a premise ripe for intrigue — two men bonding in a bereavement support group for twins — and spins it into a darkly funny, emotionally layered story that defies expectations. Written, directed by, and co-starring Sweeney, this Sundance audience award-winner refuses to stay in a single lane. It’s hilarious and biting one moment, deeply moving the next, and even a little shocking when its secrets unravel. The result is one of the year’s most distinctive indie films, anchored by two phenomenal performances.

The story begins with Roman (Dylan O’Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) meeting at a twin loss support group. Both men are adrift, trying to process grief while figuring out who they are without their other halves. Roman is quieter, still raw from his loss; Dennis is effervescent and slightly chaotic, using humor and charm as a form of armor. Their unlikely connection grows outside the group into a friendship that feels as necessary as it is fragile. The film thrives in these early beats, finding humor in grief rituals and the strange intimacy of shared trauma without ever mocking it.

What sets TWINLESS apart is how it refuses to coast on its bromance energy. When Roman meets Dennis’s coworker Marcie (Aisling Franciosi), the narrative pivots. What begins as a comedy about friendship evolves into something more complex and nuanced, as hidden truths are revealed. Each character harbors secrets, and when they surface, the film moves into more daring territory — exploring deception, identity, and the lengths people go to feel whole again.

The performances make those shifts work. O’Brien delivers the finest performance of his career as Roman, layering vulnerability with unexpected humor. His work here has already drawn awards buzz, and it’s easy to see why: there’s a scene midway through where a confession lands like a gut punch, and O’Brien plays it with devastating restraint. It’s a reminder that he’s more than an action lead; he has the chops for intimate character work. Sweeney is equally impressive, giving Dennis a mix of snark and sadness that makes him feel alive. Together, their chemistry sells both the comedy and the heartbreak.

Franciosi’s Marcie adds another dimension. She could have been reduced to a plot device, but the film gives her agency, letting her challenge both men in ways that complicate their journey. Lauren Graham has a memorable supporting turn, and Chris Perfetti adds his trademark offbeat wit. The ensemble is stacked with strong performances that flesh out the world.

Sweeney’s script is sharp and often very funny, with dialogue that feels natural rather than overpolished. The humor comes from character, not cheap gags; even when the film gets dark, it never loses its empathy. There’s a particular subplot involving Dennis’s questionable life choices that could have tipped into mean-spiritedness, but instead lands as tragicomic.

TWINLESS is about more than grief. It’s about the narratives we build to survive, the masks we wear to hide pain, and the terrifying freedom that comes when those masks slip. Sweeney has said, “Storytelling is humanity’s coping mechanism for the mysteries and challenges of life,” and this ethos is evident throughout. The characters cope in messy, human ways — sometimes through humor, sometimes through bad decisions. The film never punishes them for their flaws; it just asks us to sit with them.

The transition from comedic grief support group antics to darker revelations might feel abrupt, but it’s also what makes the film memorable. It’s willing to be as unpredictable as life itself. The pacing in the final act could be tightened slightly, but even when the film takes its time, the performances and writing keep it engaging.

TWINLESS also stands out for its LGBTQIA2S+ representation, handled organically and without tokenism. Sweeney understands how to write queer characters whose identities inform their lives without defining their entire arcs. It’s the kind of representation that feels refreshingly authentic, reflecting lived experiences rather than stereotypes. TWINLESS delivers a story that’s funny, sad, messy, and cathartic — much like grief itself. It doesn’t offer easy resolutions, but it does suggest that, however imperfect, connection is worth the risk.

Ultimately, this is a film about learning to live when you thought part of you had died. It’s about finding unexpected kinship, facing uncomfortable truths, and maybe even laughing through the tears. Dylan O’Brien and James Sweeney make a phenomenal duo, and with a sharp supporting cast and confident direction.

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