In ‘Twinless,’ two lost souls find their missing halves in a courtship that’s far from balanced

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In a soft, heartfelt manner, Roman (played by Dylan O’Brien) expresses that he “seems to understand” Dennis (James Sweeney), immediately after their encounter at a support group for twin individuals who lost their counterparts. Both men, mourning deeply, yearn for empathy.

Finding someone who makes everyday tasks like grocery shopping feel reassuring can be considered a comfort from the universe in fighting off feelings of loneliness. The intense bond formed between these two new friends is explored in the cleverly crafted, emotionally charged drama “Twinless,” which was written and directed by Sweeney with great creativity.

The primary characters develop a strong connection based on shared grief, which becomes entwined around a secret that heavily weighs upon Dennis, a man intrigued by twinship and who happens to be pretending to have a twin. (Readers who wish to avoid spoilers may want to look away.) In reality, however, Dennis has no twin – this is not due to chance but because he was born a single child and has been deceiving everyone. By feigning the same affliction as Roman, Dennis also conceals his brief relationship with Roman’s brother. When the audience discovers this deception, including how Dennis manipulated his way into Roman’s life, it introduces a multilayered tension to their later intimate conversations.

By carefully framing scenes with reflections and glass barriers, cinematographer Greg Cotten frequently captures Dennis Sweeney from beyond windows and partitions, creating an impression of observing him from the outside. This technique subtly suggests that his character has constructed a deceptive, fictitious front for himself, as revealed through the composition of the shots.

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From another perspective, while O’Brien’s knowledge might not shine as brightly as the sharpest mind, his charming innocence captivates the more jaded Dennis. A gentle wink from O’Brien serves as a comforting salve for a craving Dennis, seeking validation. It’s these subtle actions during their meetings – such as Dennis choosing not to correct O’Brien on his idiom usage – that foster a unique and somewhat unbalanced bond between them, both attempting to fill their individual emptiness.

In the narrative, the character of Rocky – a charismatic and witty gay man who passed away, but is portrayed by the actor O’Brien in a captivating dual role – is introduced through flashbacks. While Roman and Rocky share a connection, they are distinct individuals, particularly in their approach to life. Unlike Rocky, who left town and found success, Roman struggled with feelings of inadequacy and isolation after being left behind. Through O’Brien’s portrayal of these two characters, Sweeney highlights the misconception that having an identical twin can protect a person from loneliness.

As a film enthusiast, I must say, Roman and Dennis’ codependent bond is undeniably strong – it’s like they’re two peas in a pod. But when both of them speak at the same time, there’s always a slight disagreement that reveals a hidden disconnect between them. Sweeney’s brilliant screenplay cleverly weaves these seemingly unintentional differences into the script, and later on, they beautifully unfold as significant narrative twists.

The comedic moments in the film are genuinely hilarious – often due to Dennis’ sharp wit going right over Roman’s head or awkward silences and intense stares that linger longer than necessary. These instances brilliantly highlight the manipulation at play, with Dennis shaping himself to perfectly fit the role that Roman needs him to play.

During their trip to Seattle for a hockey match, which served as another stepping stone in their growing friendship, Roman consented to play along and portray Dennis as Rocky, aiming to address lingering emotions connected to his late brother.

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In a fluctuation between intense anger and profound sorrow, O’Brien’s speech to the spirit of Rocky is remarkable for its raw and intimate confession. Roman finds it difficult to articulate his words due to agonizing sobs of despair, with waves of untamed grief overwhelming him.

The incredibly powerful scene might make O’Brien’s performance stand out as a career highlight due to its raw vulnerability. However, the addition of Roman’s frequent outbursts, which often involve resorting to violence in a brotherly fashion, and the subtle undertones of innocence that are present in every encounter between Roman and Dennis, elevate O’Brien’s performance to one of the finest this year.

Despite O’Brien displaying a broader emotional spectrum, Sweeney’s earnestness resonates in part because he remains grounded with a contrasting demeanor. It takes courage for Sweeney to portray such a complex, tormented character who at times becomes unlikeable (similarly to his awkward role in his first feature “Straight Up”). Meanwhile, Roman struggles without Rocky, while Dennis grapples with the fear that his deceit might unravel everything. In essence, Sweeney creates Dennis as a character grieving for the demise of an idealized state he believed would heal him.

As Marcie, Dennis’ bubbly colleague (expertly portrayed by Aisling Franciosi), forms a connection with Roman, leaving Dennis feeling like the odd man out, the script subtly moves towards a crucial insight: no matter if it’s a romantic relationship, a family bond, or friendship, clinginess can cause harm. In the closing scene reminiscent of Alfonso Cuarón’s “Y Tu Mamá Tambien,” Sweeney communicates, both through dialogue and visual imagery, that only honesty has the power to make these two friends truly inseparable. The barrier between observer and involved is removed, as walls are broken down, and they communicate in harmony.

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2025-09-05 21:01