If 2025 is known for something in cinema, it is actors playing dual roles. From Michael B Jordan in Sinners and Robert de Niro in The Alto Knights to Robert Pattinson in Mickey 17, it seems to be a quiet trend for this year. James Sweeney‘s second feature Twinless looks set to continue the trend, starring The Maze Runner actor Dylan O’Brien as twin brothers.
O’Brien plays Roman, a man grieving for his identical twin brother Rocky, who was killed in a car accident. In a support group for twinless twins, he meets fellow mourner Dennis (Sweeney) and the two form a fast friendship. But Dennis’s attachment to Roman hides a dark truth that threatens their connection.
Visually, Sweeney’s direction conveys the complexities of duality to elevate the narrative’s focus on twins or the concept of seeing double. A melee of face-to-face conversations, split-screen conversations, and idiosyncrasies between Roman and Dennis show that there are two sides to an interaction, especially when both parties (primarily the two protagonists) see their friendship in different ways. Roman sees the confidant he needs while Dennis sees the partner he has always wanted, creating a chalk-and-cheese dynamic that slowly evolves into the twinship that they both crave, as well as a bromance that becomes the film’s steadily beating heart.
However, Twinless boasts a dark edge through Dennis’s increasingly creepy attachment that betrays his need for companionship. Stemming from their group sessions to quiet grocery trips, his growing fondness for Roman causes him to become possessive and jealous when his new friend shows signs of moving on. This makes for uncomfortable viewing, especially when Roman becomes involved with Dennis’ colleague, bubbly receptionist Marcie (Aisling Franciosi), as her presence turns the bromance into a love triangle, where they are competing for Roman’s affections. Buoyed by Sweeney’s smart screenplay, this psychological element sours what would otherwise be a blossoming bromance, placing their friendship on fragile ground.
However, rather than making the characters predictably combative towards each other because of a third wheel, the narrative allows Marcie to become less of a distraction and more of a natural progression in Roman’s journey. In one particular scene, he snaps about a missing sweater, and she immediately calls him out. This moment is a sharp contrast to him being with Dennis, who – in a teary, emotion-filled scene – would soak in the aggression as the proverbial shoulder to cry on, or ear to shout at, in the vain hope of being necessary. Furthermore, the awkward dialogue hints at Roman and Dennis’ raw emotions of grief and guilt surrounding Rocky’s death, not to mention their unspoken loneliness.
O’Brien’s bold performances enable Rocky and Roman’s contrasting personalities to stand out as two distinct characters, elevating them from just being like two halves of one whole. As both director and co-star, Sweeney wonderfully bounces off O’Brien to convey awkwardness and unrequited longing amid bouts of bitchiness to a very lively yet grounded Franciosi.
Twinless is a twisted yet heartbreaking and darkly funny drama that delivers surprises on every turn, with O’Brien and Sweeney driving the story with their emotional performances.
This review was published as part of Flickfeast’s coverage of the 2025 BFI London Film Festival.
TWINLESS is in UK & Irish cinemas 6 February. For cinemas visit: PARK CIRCUS
Rating: 
Director: James Sweeney
Stars: Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney, Aisling Franciosi
Runtime: 100 minutes
Country: USA
