TWINLESS -- James Sweeney's Sophomore Feature is Incredibly Poignant and Witty

Review by Camden Ferrell

James Sweeney made a splash on the scene with his debut feature Straight Up, which played extensively on the festival circuit in 2019. His long-awaited follow up, Twinless, had its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival where it won the coveted Audience Award. His newest film doubles down on all the strengths of his first feature while also benefitting from an amazing turn from lead actor Dylan O’Brien. 

Roman and Dennis meet in a support group for those whose twins have died, and they quickly form a bond together. They both search for comfort in the face of tragedy and learn how to navigate life without their other half. While the central themes of the movie are more somber than his last feature, Sweeney finds a way to navigate this story with a darkly comic perspective to keep it light. 

Sweeney’s writing has improved with his newest feature. He didn’t sacrifice any of the wit or quirkiness that made his first movie memorable, but he did find a way to blend with a greater sense of earnestness. He understands how to balance the mature themes of grief with the humor and heart he seems to enjoy exploring in a friendship. It also has some great narrative twists and angles that make this an engaging and rewarding watch. 

While Sweeney’s acting is more or less similar to his previous work (your mileage may vary), he still is a competent leading man to introduce his signature style of performance into the film. However, his co-lead Dylan O’Brien is the clear standout in this movie. Mostly known for his YA movies and shows, he has displayed a true flair for more serious roles, and this movie proves yet again what he’s capable of. I think it’s a very nuanced role that requires grief, humor, and controlled rage, and it’s something he handles expertly. It’s hard to imagine the final product without him because he really helps the movie come alive. ​

Something that appeals to me greatly about Sweeney as an artist is how finely tuned his technical aspirations are with a movie. He reunites with cinematographer Greg Cotten to double down on all of the visual quirks of his first movie to better effect. His camera is static for a majority of the movie with any motion being incredibly controlled and surprisingly creative. He employs the use of split screen expertly to enhance the themes he’s exploring while also leveraging it as a storytelling mechanism. Pair this with an amazing score from Jung Jae-il, and you have a clear and concise vision from Sweeney across all the creative aspects of the production. 

Twinless is one of the year’s best movies. Sweeney has proven himself as a filmmaker to keep on your radar for the foreseeable future, and I hope this lands O’Brien some much deserved serious roles as an actor. It’s a movie that I think will speak to general audiences for one reason or another, whether it’s the film’s quirkiness, humor, or genuine exploration of grief and loss.  

Twinless is in theaters September 5. 

Rating: 4.5/5