Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Twinless is a black comedy about a young man, Roman (Dylan O’Brien), whose twin brother gets hit by a car and dies. While at a support group for twins who lost their sibling, he meets Dennis (James Sweeney), an awkward and lonely gay man who becomes infatuated with him.
Some Thoughts:
Twinless is the type of movie that’s best to go into knowing very little. Although the story is straight forward, it’s full of twists and turns that keep the plot lively and engaging. They also make it difficult to discuss without spoilers, which causes it to be difficult to review.
This is an impressive film from writer/director James Sweeny, who also stars in it. Everything about the movie works, from the constant sense of loss to the often dreamlike visuals. The humor is dry and dark, and the comedy is so subtle that, for some, it may play out more like a drama. Luckily, this is a great film even if you don’t get the humor.
The dialogue is well written, and the actors, especially O’Brien, make their characters believable. And although Sweeny is great in his role as the awkward and needy Dennis, it’s O’Brien who steals the show. Since Roman is filled with sadness and anger from the loss of his twin, O’Brien gets to show a wide range of emotions. And because Dennis is more emotionally aloof, Roman stands out a bit more. It also helps that Roman has a loveable quality that comes through, thanks to O’Brien’s excellent acting skills.
The Final Verdict:
Twinless is a film about grief, guilt and loneliness. It steers clear of the typical Hollywood fodder and gives us a story that’s unique and well crafted. If you like an original story that’s well told, this is for you.