(L—R) Dylan O’Brien and James Sweeney attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival “Twinless” premiere at Eccles Theatre. (Photo by George Pimentel/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)
By Jessica Herndon
Before the premiere of Twinless, Dylan O’Brien wants to make one thing perfectly clear: “We are not twins in real life, so I want to just set that record straight before I continue to get asked about it,” he jokes while standing on stage with writer-director James Sweeney, who looks nothing like him. “This is not a documentary about my twin who I’ve hid from the world for years,” he continues. “We are completely unrelated.”
Okay, noted! O’Brien and Sweeney do not play siblings in Twinless, debuting at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. But they do play men who develop an unexpected and complex friendship after meeting in a support group for those who’ve lost their twins. In Sweeney’s second feature, he delves deep into the human psyche, crafting a dark comedy that intertwines humor with profound themes of loss and connection.
Sweeney’s portrayal of Dennis is haunting and memorable, capturing the essence of a man grappling with loneliness and inner turmoil. Opposite him, O’Brien delivers an utterly unforgettable, nuanced, and versatile performance while playing a set of twins. The ensemble cast is further enriched by the dynamic talents of Lauren Graham, Chris Perfetti, Tasha Smith, and Aisling Franciosi, who each bring their unique appeal to the story.
Twinless is a testament to Sweeney’s evolution as a filmmaker. A follow-up to the filmmaker’s 2019 debut feature (Straight Up), Twinless showcases Sweeney’s clever wit, drawing audiences in with clever twists and turns.
Before the lights dim, Sweeney treats the crowd to a dose of his dry humor, proving that his sharp tongue isn’t just for the screen. “I am happy to be here on opening night at the Eccles Theatre. When I first heard we were at the Eccles Theatre, I googled it and I was like, ‘Oh my god, it’s so big!’” says Sweeney. “Then it took me a month to realize that was the Eccles Theatre in Salt Lake City and that this one is a little bit smaller — like half the size. I should have known because this one has 1200 seats. Even though I’m a multi-hyphenate, spatial reasoning is not one of my greatest strengths.”
After the film, the quips and laughs keep coming. When discussing wanting to cast O’Brien, Sweeney says, “I’ve been a fan of his work — I watched all The Maze Runners in theaters.” O’Brien chuckles at this before Sweeney adds that he’s always been impressed with O’Brien’s range. “I thought this would be a different role for him,” he says. “But honestly, it was just in meeting him and seeing him take ownership in every emotional shift and beat. I felt like he saw my voice, and he felt so confident in it, and I trusted that.”
When it came to casting Graham, Sweeney didn’t play it as cool. “I am such a huge fan,” he gushes. “I was actually hesitant to cast her because we referenced Gilmore Girls a few times in my first film. I didn’t want her to think I was a psycho. But I got over that, and it was such an honor and privilege to watch her work.” Graham is just as enamored with Sweeney’s artistry. “You can tell in [Twinless] he’s just so thoughtful and intelligent,” she says. “There is so much kindness in his work that it allows for the quirks of his character and of the story and of the darkness, and I just love that. I was so fascinated when I read it, and it’s unlike anything I’d ever read — and it still is.”
