- Release year: 2025
- Director: James Sweeney.
- Producers: David Permut and James Sweeney.
- Screenplay by: James Sweeney.
- Cinematography by: Greg Cotten.
- Music by: Jung Jae-il.
Synopsis: a man loses his twin and meets another twinless man in a grief support group. They become friends.
Shotgun Commentary: a drama dressed up as comedy, but a drama nonetheless.
Review
Twinless is what you expect from an indie drama: good performances, interesting twists, soul-crushing storylines… Everything to entertain you for a little less than two hours with an original story that doesn’t have much of a message, but is enjoyable nonetheless.
The base
Roman (Dylan O’Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) meet at a twinless support group. During this therapy, people who have lost their twin share their stories, their feelings… anything that comes to their minds. However, this professional, scientifically-proven remedy, is rendered obsolete thanks to the magical power of a friendship based on lies. You read that right. Why have therapy with a professional when you can just vent on someone you barely know?
Luckily, just when you thought you’d been tricked into a movie with great marketing and zero substance, the story takes the right turn into an almost thriller. One that won’t be discussed here because it would be a sin to do so, but that is more than enough to refresh your interest in the feature and reignite your investment in the characters’ life.
The flavour
Undoubtedly, the main selling point of the movie is the cast. While the tale is fantastic, it wouldn’t be able to go anywhere without a talented cast to bring it to life. This ensemble does not disappoint.
O’Brien leads the story by playing both Roman and Rocky, the main twins of the narrative. As Roman, he is clueless, impulsive, and a little dim, but also loyal, kind, and caring. Still, he has a violent streak that he should really work on (but don’t expect him to do so). Rocky is the complete opposite. He’s witty, extroverted, flirty, and bright. O’Brien plays both, displaying the whole human range of emotions through one character or the other. For those of you who watched Teen Wolf (2011–2017), this might not come as a surprise, since O’Brien already showcased his talent, but the actor truly commands the screen with his acting.
Supporting the main performance is Sweeney in his role of the protagonist’s BFF. Sweeney’s approach is more quiet, but just as intense. His evolution as a character is enthralling and Sweeney knows just how to squeeze all its potential. In fact, it is the charm of O’Brien’s performance and Sweeney’s nuances that make up for the occasional weak spots. Namely, a supporting actor not quite hitting the mark, or the soundtrack.
How can it be possible that a whole soundtrack sounds used? Every single track is a copy or mix of copies of other easily-recognisable theme songs or incredibly generic compositions that could just as well be part of a playlist of generic sounds to study to.
All in all, Twinless is a really well shot film. If you don’t appreciate the story, that would be the main takeaway. However, this original exploration of grief, obsession, and truth, brings a lot more than pretty shots. It is the perfect experience if you are looking for something different and fresh.
Advice to take from this movie:
- People lie. All the time. Get used to it.
- Appearances can be deceiving.
- If you partner has the habit of yelling at you when they’re frustrated, what they need is therapy, not a hug.
What’s your take? Have you watched Twinless? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀