One of the funniest films of the year might also be the most gut-wrenching. This is Twinless, directed, written and starring James Sweeney, co-staring Dylan O’Brien. When an unlikely friendship between the two men form at a support group for twins, whose twin has died, Roman and Denis become a support for the other, as they face a new found loneliness in the world now that their twin is gone. Expertly crafting dramatic tension that never fails to have the audience laughing, Twinless will have us thinking about grief and loneliness, and also just how many twins are really out there.

After his twin brother dies, Roman meets Dennis at a support group for twins who have lost their twin. Bonding over being new twinless twins, Denis and Roman form a friendship built on their mutual experience of losing their other half.

The story might seem simple, friendships growing out of a mutual loss. But this inventive dark comedy never stops pushing boundaries, and as soon as the title credits appear, the story already becomes something unlike we could ever imagine. Remaining grounded throughout, the film touches on loss and loneliness in the modern world with an understanding hand, while expertly balancing humour and surprising reveals throughout.

Writer and director James Sweeney also stars in the film, and he hits the mark in every aspect of this project. The writing is sensitive and at many times is downright hysterical, while still hitting the emotional beats of the story on the head. The film is well paced, and the emotional tension built into the story as we watch the boys’ relationship develop is expertly crafted. This all cannot be discussed without also mentioning his hilarious and heartbreaking performance as Dennis, capturing the loneliness inside this man who is just searching for connection.

Alongside Sweeney is Dylan O’Brien, who delivers probably his best dramatic performance yet. Playing both Roman and his vastly different twin Rocky in flashbacks, O’Brien expertly crafts two distinct characters, while always allowing for their similarities to shine through. Even when playing the “dumb” twin Roman, he is able to capture the softness and tragedy of his loss, giving an all time performance in one such tragic scene with Sweeney.

So much of the film works because Sweeney’s writing incorporates such realistic dry humour that will be appreciated by young audiences. It is deprecating, but still confident, and really feels like the characters talk how those in their 20s and 30s talk today.

Alongside this humour is the dramatic themes at the core of the film, including grief and loneliness. These topics are handled with such grace, and the characters who are experiencing these emotions are complex. We are not spoon-fed how we should feel about characters and how they react to certain aspects of their lives, but rather see their lives play out so we can better understand their grief and how they interact with the world. Rocky, Roman, and Dennis all deal with uncomfortable topics, and make the wrong choices as they grow up. But with stellar comedic timing grounded in a strong dramatic story, the overall messaging of the loneliness that often comes with human connections is exemplified by the time the credits roll.

Dylan O’Brien and James Sweeney are stellar in Sweeney’s own Twinless. Dramatic, hilarious, and down right heart-wrenching, this film is sure to be the crowd pleasing film of the fall of 2025.

Twinless was screened at the 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival and will be released September 5, 2025. Image courtesy of MIFF.