This film is probably my favorite film from Tribeca Film Festival 2025, likely because it helps prove my theory that millennials are obsessed with twins, and I’ll try my best not to spoil the moment that confirms it.

An impressive second feature film by James Sweeney focuses in on two performances by Dylan O’Brien, so different from one another that it alone is worth the price of admission. This funny yet uncomfortably bleak bromance tells the story of introverted and hot-headed 30-something Roman grieving the death of his identical twin brother Rocky (both played by Dylan O’Brien), whose death is heard but not shown in the opening scene. Roman is more of an introverted, brooding character, while Rocky seemed like the life of the party. Roman and Rocky were so different from one another, yet linked like only twins could be, prompting Roman to attend a twin bereavement group for people experiencing the loss of their twin sibling. At this group, Roman, feeling untethered and broken, meets Dennis (played by James Sweeney), a graphic designer who reminds him of his twin brother. The two form a friendship that is unusual and emotional. They go from chatting on the phone to doing a variety of activities together that Roman was accustomed to doing with Rocky, like eating dinner or running errands. This unlikely pair gave Roman another lifeline while helping Dennis in what we thought was his own sibling grief, but turns out he was grieving something much more complicated.

See, the thing about Dennis is, he doesn’t have a dead twin brother. In a surprising twist, we are taken back in time to before Rocky’s death, watching O’Brien’s brilliant performance as Roman’s extroverted, charismatic, and irresistible gay brother that meets Dennis and practically seduces him with a random meet-cute turned steamy night that leaves Dennis enamored. It’s in this flashback that we learn more about Sweeney’s arrogant but endearing character that turns to his coworker and friend for advice when Rocky doesn’t answer his calls. Ghosted and furious, Dennis turns into a stage 5 clinger, spying on Rocky when he finds he’s with a new man coming out of his apartment. Dennis tails them in his car, allowing his frustration to get the best of him when he gets out at a red light and approaches Rocky for answers. This leads to Rocky's untimely death as he is struck by a car while acknowledging Dennis. Twinless walks a thin line, blending dark humor with emotional candidness that shows just how puzzling life can be. The dialogue is often uncomfortably honest, capturing the awkwardness of grief and the deep need people have to connect, even when they don’t know how. What makes this film stand out is how it resists the urge to label its characters as simply good or bad. Instead, it leans into the messy gray areas, pulling us in different directions and challenging the way we’re used to watching stories unfold.

(Dylan O'Brien and James Sweeney in 'Twinless.' *Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival)*

In present day, while Dennis gives Roman a shoulder to lean on under false pretenses, he’s also grieving the loss of Rocky. Carrying a secret so heavy that he befriends his one-night stand’s twin brother out of loneliness, guilt, and sadness. The additional problem here is that Roman is heterosexual and not interested in Dennis, who’s followed him around in hopes to learn more about his brother and ultimately falling in love with him, to the point of jealousy when he starts to heal and begins a relationship with Dennis’ colleague and friend Marcie. The film continues on, showing us the stages of grief Roman has to push through, including arguments during the holidays when his mom (played by Lauren Graham) fails to decorate for the holidays, leaving Roman upset. Lauren’s character vents to Dennis about the complexities of their loss and how unimaginably difficult it is to feel like you’ve lost both of your children. The film’s pacing mirrors Roman’s emotional state: slow and heavy in moments of grief, but picking up as he begins to reconnect with life, and sometimes it fluctuates just as grief does, which causes you to sympathize with these characters so deeply.

Through the happy and sad moments of these characters, we see them at different stages. Partying, networking, learning from one another. Awkward dates, random parties, Roman becoming more cultured while being reminded by others how different and amazing his brother was. Eventually, the truth gets out and drama unfolds, riddled with anger, confusion, and even a fight that could have turned deadly. This film is jam-packed with entertainment that will make you laugh, cry, and absolutely love and hate each character at one point or another. Sweeney created a spectacular script that showcases characters rich in personality and nuance, that you’re fascinated by the originality the whole way through. The film’s visuals were beautiful and simple, from the title shot that was O’Brien eating alone as TWINLESS appeared on the screen, to the shirt he wears being two colors evenly split down the middle, to a scene where Sweeney’s reflection is directly behind Roman, shown through a mirror. Each of these shots was symbolic of the title, solidifying that Sweeney left no stone unturned with direction that is confident and intimate, allowing the performances and emotional beats to breathe without ever feeling overproduced. This is a powerful style to have when tackling a non-linear emotion that causes a character’s vulnerability and volatility during the worst time of his life.

All in all, from the writing to the execution, Twinless is a rare kind of film that leaves you with a mix of emotions, in the best way. Dylan O’Brien stuns in dual roles, and you almost forget O’Brien is playing both of them. Lauren Graham doesn’t stray far from what we’ve seen her do before. James Sweeney, unafraid to lean into awkwardness and emotional discomfort, plays a character who is kind of an asshole, intrusive, and oddly sympathetic all at once. Marcie, introduced to us through Dennis' lens, goes from slightly obnoxious to charming and sincere, adding a refreshing dynamic to the mix. Every supporting character contributes meaningfully without pulling focus from the heart of the film.

Twinless is designed to make you cringe, laugh, ache, and feel everything in between. It is not solely about how to ground yourself again after an unimaginable loss, but about displaying the indescribable emotions that are difficult to explain or fully understand. Twinless executes its mission successfully the whole way through, with a dark, funny, and unexpectedly moving story that is 100 percent worth your time.

In theatres September 5, 2025.

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Screened at: Tribeca Film Festival (Press Screening), Written and Directed by: James Sweeney, Produced by: David Permut, James Sweeney, Permut Presentations, Three Point Capital, Featuring: Dylan O'Brien, James Sweeney, Lauren Graham, Aisling Franciosi, Tasha Smith, Chris Perfetti
Executive Producers: Dylan O'Brien, Miky Lee, Kevin M. Sullivan, David Gendron, Ali Jazayeri, Liz Destro, Alex Astrachan
Cinematography: Greg Cotten, Production Design: Priscilla Elliott, Costume Design: Erin Orr, Film Editing: Nik Boyanov, Music: Jung Jae-il, Casting: Jessica Munks, Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes

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