In 2025, a growing trend in film features actors taking on dual roles, allowing them to perform alongside themselves. Among these is Dylan O’Brien, who stars in the psychological dark comedy Twinless, portraying identical twins Rocky and Roman. This film offers a deep dive into grief, guilt, and loss, with O’Brien transforming what might have been a mere novelty into a compelling, emotional experience.
Known initially for his roles in Teen Wolf and The Maze Runner, O’Brien has steadily expanded his range with varied performances in films like Love and Monsters, Deepwater Horizon, and his portrayal of Dan Aykroyd in Saturday Night. In Twinless, he faces the demanding task of bringing two distinct characters to life while illustrating the complex bond between them, despite their limited shared screen time.
The Story Behind ‘Twinless’: Grief and Connection After Loss
Twinless follows Roman, who struggles to cope after the death of his twin brother Rocky in a car crash. While the brothers were inseparable as children, the distance grew between them over time, partly due to Roman’s inability to fully accept Rocky’s sexuality. Roman’s guilt leads him to attend support group meetings for those who have lost twins, where he meets Dennis, played by James Sweeney, who also shares a tragic twin loss.
The friendship that develops between Roman and Dennis is steeped in shared trauma, highlighting how uniquely painful the loss of a twin can be. However, as Roman learns more about Dennis, doubts arise about the true nature of his connection to Rocky before his death. This revelation adds layers of psychological intensity as the film shifts from drama into an uneasy thriller.
Distinct Characters Mark O’Brien’s Dual Performance
Dylan O’Brien excels in crafting two entirely separate personalities: Rocky, an artist proudly embracing his identity, and Roman, who wrestles with sorrow and self-reproach. Rocky’s role in the local art scene and his compassionate nature make his sudden passing profoundly heartbreaking, while Roman’s portrayal captures tragic alienation and regret. By never showing the twins interacting in positive moments, the film magnifies the ache of their estrangement and unresolved feelings.
O’Brien uses subtle physical cues and speech patterns to differentiate the brothers clearly, ensuring audiences understand who they are without explicit timeline markers. This distinction makes Roman’s journey after Rocky’s death feel authentic and nuanced, as he confronts how much he missed about his brother’s life and grieves what could have been.
Emotional Depth and Dramatic Complexity in O’Brien’s Work
Twinless navigates the complexities of remembering a lost loved one, focusing on Roman’s struggle to carry the emotional weight of being his twin’s survivor. O’Brien portrays this internal conflict with maturity, presenting Roman as a character burdened by unseen sorrows and a fractured sense of identity.
The film balances moments of dark humor amid its more serious themes, especially through Roman’s reactions to unusual events and coincidences surrounding Dennis. While requiring some suspension of disbelief, Twinless benefits immensely from O’Brien’s compelling dual performances, solidifying it as one of the standout independent films of 2025.
Supporting Cast and Interpersonal Dynamics
James Sweeney plays Dennis, the mysterious figure Roman meets in the bereavement support group, whose own twin loss draws them together. Their evolving bond serves as a cornerstone of the narrative, exploring themes of friendship, trust, and the search for understanding after unimaginable loss.
The film highlights the unique challenges faced by twins who lose their counterpart, emphasizing the difficulty of expressing such grief to those without similar experiences. This connection grounds the story in emotional reality, even as it ventures into psychological thriller territory.
