Twinless: On the red carpet with Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney and Aisling Franciosi at London Film Festival 2025

A surprising piece with tender and nuanced explorations of loss and loneliness, Twinless follows the story of Roman and Dennis, who meet at a twin bereavement meeting. The two form a bond, both reeling from the grief of losing not only their sibling, but almost a part of themselves. But there’s secrecy and deception. It’s wonderfully charming with an undoubtedly endearing cast: Dylan O’Brien’s twin roles of Rocky and Roman, James Sweeney’s loveably selfish performance as Dennis, and Aisling Franciosi’s Marcie. Twinless, and its endlessly tangled and delicate dynamics, is the kind of movie that will linger in the viewer’s hearts for a long time, with characters that will forever leave an imprint on those watching. Written and directed by Sweeney as his second feature, Twinless is a dissection of human connection, whether platonic or romantic, and building friendships in the most unexpected of places.

The Upcoming caught up with O’Brien, who plays Rocky and Roman and their extremely different personalities. The two roles showcase O’Brien at his best, highlighting his emotional range and ability to tap into unfamiliar topics. In this interview, he discussed building his chemistry with Sweeney, the two very different relationships his characters have with Dennis, and opportunities for improv throughout the production. He also talked about the universality of the themes and what resonated with him the most throughout his experience filming.

Writer, director and actor Sweeney also attended the red carpet. In our brief conversation, he commented on his experience dating an identical twin and how, within a year post the break-up, he had already written a draft. Sweeney also spoke about the themes covered by Twinless –  specifically on the topic of forgiveness – and the balancing act he had to perfect during production in his three roles as actor, director and producer.

Finally, Franciosi, who plays Marcie – the beholder of Dennis’s secret and the girlfriend of Roman – stopped by to discuss her character. She delved into her experience working alongside O’Brien and Sweeney and how they helped her navigate the different relationship dynamics throughout the piece, from Rocky and Dennis’s tryst, the budding friendship between Dennis and Roman, and the undercurrent of jealousy Dennis has for Marcie.

Mae Trumata

Twinless does not have a release date yet.

Read more reviews from our London Film Festival coverage here.

For further information about the event, visit the London Film Festival website here.

Watch the trailer for Twinless here: