Release Date – 6th February 2026, Cert – 15, Run-time – 1 hour 40 minutes, Director – James Sweeney
Roman (Dylan O’Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) meet at a bereavement group for those who have lost their twin, as a friendship forms helping them cope there may be more behind it than it seems.
The opening credits of Twinless appearing 20 minutes in are almost a distraction from the rug being pulled out from under you. The first of a number of unexpected tonal shifts in writer-director James Sweeney’s grief-tinted dramedy. Beforehand we’ve spent time with Roman (Dylan O’Brien) and Dennis (Sweeney) as they form a friendship after meeting at a support group for bereaved twins. Their bond is a tender one that helps them both cope in quiet ways with their respective losses.
However, it becomes clear that there may be more to the friendship’s context than it may seem on the surface – although Sweeney and O’Brien make it clear in their performances in the early stages that a romantic relationship isn’t on the cards. Dennis is gay, while Roman is straight – although his brother, Rocky (also O’Brien) was. As we learn more about the pair, particularly Dennis, shades of Ingrid Goes West come into play. The tone may not be as threatening or sinister, but there’s still an unsettling air to certain aspects of the central bond. Wonderfully portrayed by the sharp subtleties of the two lead performances, showing characters caught in varying forms of uncertainty in response to the holes in their lives.
Grief can be uncertain and messy, and it’s something that Sweeny understands in the dark comedy of his film. Early on we see Roman emotionlessly sitting alone at home, the screen from his TV lighting up the room, as he plays The Sims watching a figure named after his late brother get caught in a kitchen fire. It contrasts with Dennis’ emotional monologue about the pain he feels since losing his twin, yet a pain he likes due to it seeming as if he’s still there. The blend of tones and genres throughout is seamlessly handled in much the same way as the twists and reveals of the narrative are.
I went into Twinless knowing nothing about what was in store, and in many ways that seems like the best way to watch the film. It takes you on its ride and the changing shape of the central friendship with early engagement thanks to the humour on display. Once the shock factor comes in after the opening credits there are further surprises in store while still keeping a consistent feel to the overall style at hand. Never does it feel as if something is being borrowed from a different film, and Sweeney manages to grapple the consistent tones and themes of his film with strong precision whilst maintaining an entertaining style.
Much of which is conveyed by him and O’Brien, with good efforts being put in by the supporting cast, particularly a strong and very likable turn from Aisling Franciosi as Dennis’ colleague Marcie who starts to form a relationship with Roman. The belief in the project from all involved comes through on screen as even during more ominous moments a sense of tenderness still manages to come through, even if just for one of the characters unaware of the other’s actions. Helped by the humour which is scattered throughout and itself allows for the film as a whole to pass by quickly, even during extended dramatic beats which revolve around the inheld emotions of the characters. Unexpected, and with plenty more unexpected moments throughout, Twinless is a series of entertainingly swift rug pulls which always keep the characters at the core of what happens.
Full of consistent twists and surprises, Twinless keeps us connected to the characters with the well-held tenderness and humour throughout its drama, all captured in the subtle performances of the core cast.
Just A Little Bit Random 