David Byrne and Hayley Williams team up for original music in Netflix’s The Twits
Netflix’s upcoming animated adaptation of The Twits, based on Roald Dahl’s iconic story, will feature original songs written by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, with a special end credits track co-written and performed with Paramore’s Hayley Williams.
Set to debut on 17th October 2025, just in time for Halloween, The Twits is written and directed by Academy Award nominee Phil Johnston (Ralph Breaks the Internet, Zootopia). The film marks the first screen adaptation inspired by the book, which has sold 16 million copies and been translated into 41 languages.
Byrne has composed and produced three original tracks – We’re Not Like Ev’ryone Else, Lullaby and The Problem Is You – performed by the cast. For the end title song, Open the Door, Byrne collaborated with Williams, blending his offbeat musicality with her lyrical edge.
“This was a fun project,” Byrne said. “Like other Roald Dahl books, this one has its share of dreadful characters – this time, two of them are front and centre. Kids (and adults) love that they can vicariously imagine their own worst impulses played out, harmlessly, in a punky fun story.”
Williams added: “Being a part of this movie is like one pinch-me moment after another. My favourite Roald Dahl book growing up was The Twits… It feels like a cautionary tale – and also a really lovely depiction of chosen family and community.”
The voice cast includes Margo Martindale and Johnny Vegas as Mr and Mrs Twit, with Emilia Clarke, Natalie Portman, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Ryan Lopez, Timothy Simons, Nicole Byer, Jason Mantzoukas, Alan Tudyk, Mark Proksch, Rebecca Wisocky and Charlie Berens rounding out the ensemble.
Produced by Johnston, Maggie Malone and Daisy May West, with animation by Jellyfish Pictures (The Boss Baby, The Bad Guys), the film follows the world’s meanest couple – Mr and Mrs Twit – as they rise to power in their town and force two children and a family of magical Muggle-Wumps to outwit them in a fight to save the city. Expect wormy spaghetti, the Dreaded Shrinks, and plenty of mischief.
In the words of Johnston: “The saying ‘never meet your heroes’ simply does not apply here. I met two of them, and boy howdy, it’s been a dream come true.”
The editorial unit
The Twits is released on Netflix on 17th October 2025.
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