Dylan O’Brien’s ‘Twinless’ Charms Sundance 2025 Audience

Dylan O’Brien’s ‘Twinless’ Charms Sundance 2025  Audience

Twinless Sparks Joy and Reflection at Sundance

The 2025 Sundance Film Festival is showcasing a treasure trove of stories, and James Sweeney’s sophomore effort, “Twinless,” shines brightly as a poignant exploration of grief, unexpected connections, and the complexities of human relationships. The film captivated audiences with its raw honesty and emotionally resonant narrative, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits rolled.

Sweeney, who also stars in the film alongside Dylan O’Brien, describes “twinless” as “a bit De Palma and grief drama.” The story centers around Dennins (played by sweeney), a young man battling the profound loss of his gay lover, Rocky, portrayed by O’Brien.

Further enriching the emotional landscape is the presence of Rocky’s twin brother, Roman. Both Dennins and Roman find solace and a surprising kinship in a twin-loss bereavement group,forging a heartfelt and complex bromance amidst their shared grief.

Producer David Permut, whose previous Sundance success includes selling Jack Black’s comedy “Polka King” to Netflix and producing O’Brien’s “Ponyboi,” which premiered at the festival last year, sees “Twinless” as a powerful return to the indie film scene. Permut himself discovered Sweeney at outfest for his film “Straight Up,” recognizing the young director’s immense talent and potential.

Archyde Exclusive: James Sweeney on “Twinless” – A Sundance Film That Explores Grief, Connection and unexpected Bromance

James Sweeney’s compelling sophomore film, “Twinless,” graced the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, captivating audiences and critics alike with its poignant exploration of grief, unexpected connection, and the intricacies of human relationships.We sat down with Sweeney, who also stars in the film alongside Dylan O’Brien, to delve into the heart of “Twinless.”

Sweeney’s journey with the film began a decade ago with the painstaking crafting of the script. “It was a labor of love,” he says, sharing that he poured his heart and soul into the project for ten years before finding the perfect partner in Dylan O’Brien.

The process of finding O’Brien wasn’t a conventional one. “I saw all of the “maze Runner” movies in theaters,” Sweeney recounts, “but it was actually this YouTube series called ‘Weird City’ if anyone’s seen it. He’s in the pilot episode.”

sweeney felt a profound connection with O’Brien’s talent and vision. “I felt like he saw my voice and he felt so confident in it,” he recalls.O’brien’s performance in “Twinless” showcases his remarkable range as he masterfully embodies the emotional nuances of both twins, navigating every emotional shift and beat with unparalleled authenticity. “I’ve always been impressed with his range; I felt that this would be a different role for him,” sweeney attests.

crafting the film’s distinctive pace and rhythm was an intentional decision for Sweeney. “They say you write a film three times – once in the script stage, once on set, and once in edit,” he explains. This intentional approach allowed Sweeney to sculpt a narrative that resonated deeply with viewers.

O’Brien himself was deeply moved by the script from the very first read. “I opened this script,and I couldn’t stop,” he exclaimed,adding,”He’s every element of a meticulous filmmaker.”

Twinless: A Film That Stays With You

Director Michael Sweeney knew exactly who he wanted to play the dual roles in his poignant film, Twinless. Dylan O’Brien, whom Sweeney had long admired, was his top choice. “I saw all the Maze Runner movies in theaters,” Sweeney recalls with a chuckle. “Actually,it was this YouTube series called weird City if anyone’s seen it. He’s in the pilot episode.” Sweeney continues, “I felt like he understood my vision and was incredibly confident in it. He’s incredibly talented, and I knew he could capture the emotional nuances of both twin characters.”

O’Brien’s performance is nothing short of unusual. He masterfully embodies the emotional weight of both twins, navigating the complex landscape of grief, love, and familial bonds.

Sweeney’s meticulous approach to filmmaking extended beyond the script. he meticulously crafted the film’s unique pace and rhythm, emphasizing the crucial role of editing in shaping the emotional impact of the story. “They say you write a film three times—once in the script stage, once on set, and once in edit,” Sweeney observes. “It’s about finding the right rhythm, the right tempo to create the desired emotional effect.”

O’Brien himself acknowledges Sweeney’s filmmaking prowess. “I opened this script, and I couldn’t stop,” he exclaims. “He’s everything you’d want in a meticulous filmmaker.”

Twinless leaves a lasting impression. Its exploration of grief, connection, and the complexities of human relationships resonates deeply with audiences. The film’s portrayal of unexpected friendship adds another layer to its emotional richness.

What are your thoughts on Twinless’s exploration of grief and unexpected friendship? Share your insights in the comments below.

What inspired Michael Sweeney to write “Twinless”?

Archyde Exclusive: James Sweeney on “Twinless” – A Sundance film That Explores Grief, Connection and unexpected Bromance

James sweeney’s compelling sophomore film, “Twinless,” graced the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, captivating audiences and critics alike wiht its poignant exploration of grief, unexpected connection, and the intricacies of human relationships.We sat down with Sweeney, who also stars in the film alongside dylan O’Brien, to delve into the heart of “Twinless.”

Sweeney’s journey with the film began a decade ago with the painstaking crafting of the script. “It was a labor of love,” he says, sharing that he poured his heart and soul into the project for ten years before finding the perfect partner in Dylan O’Brien.

The process of finding O’Brien wasn’t a conventional one. “I saw all of the “Maze Runner” movies in theaters,” sweeney recounts, “but it was actually this YouTube series called ‘Weird City’ if anyone’s seen it. He’s in the pilot episode.”

sweeney felt a profound connection with O’Brien’s talent and vision. “I felt like he saw my voice and he felt so confident in it,” he recalls.O’brien’s performance in “twinless” showcases his remarkable range as he masterfully embodies the emotional nuances of both twins, navigating every emotional shift and beat with unparalleled authenticity. “I’ve always been impressed with his range; I felt that this would be a different role for him,” sweeney attests.

crafting the film’s distinctive pace and rhythm was an intentional decision for Sweeney. “They say you write a film three times – once in the script stage, once on set, and once in edit,” he explains. This intentional approach allowed Sweeney to sculpt a narrative that resonated deeply with viewers.

O’Brien himself was deeply moved by the script from the very first read. “I opened this script,and I couldn’t stop,” he exclaimed,adding,”He’s every element of a meticulous filmmaker.”

Twinless: A Film That Stays With You

Director Michael Sweeney knew exactly who he wanted to play the dual roles in his poignant film, Twinless.Dylan O’Brien, whom Sweeney had long admired, was his top choice. “I saw all the Maze Runner movies in theaters,” Sweeney recalls with a chuckle. “Actually,it was this YouTube series called weird City if anyone’s seen it. He’s in the pilot episode.” Sweeney continues, “I felt like he understood my vision and was incredibly confident in it. He’s incredibly talented,and I knew he could capture the emotional nuances of both twin characters.”

O’Brien’s performance is nothing short of unusual. He masterfully embodies the emotional weight of both twins,navigating the complex landscape of grief,love,and familial bonds.

Sweeney’s meticulous approach to filmmaking extended beyond the script. he meticulously crafted the film’s unique pace and rhythm,emphasizing the crucial role of editing in shaping the emotional impact of the story. “They say you write a film three times—once in the script stage, once on set, and once in edit,” Sweeney observes. “It’s about finding the right rhythm, the right tempo to create the desired emotional effect.”

O’Brien himself acknowledges Sweeney’s filmmaking prowess. “I opened this script, and I couldn’t stop,” he exclaims. “He’s everything you’d want in a meticulous filmmaker.”

Twinless leaves a lasting impression. Its exploration of grief, connection, and the complexities of human relationships resonates deeply with audiences. The film’s portrayal of unexpected friendship adds another layer to its emotional richness.

What are your thoughts on Twinless’s exploration of grief and unexpected friendship? Share your insights in the comments below.

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