Gayety

Tag: Twinless

  • Dylan O’Brien Finds His Other Half in Dark Comedy ‘Twinless’

    Dylan O’Brien Finds His Other Half in Dark Comedy ‘Twinless’

    The first trailer for Twinless, James Sweeney’s twisted yet tender dark comedy that took home the Audience Award at Sundance 2025, has officially dropped, and it’s serving grief group chaos, emotional intimacy, and secrets that unravel faster than a therapy circle confession.

    Starring Dylan O’Brien in dual roles and Sweeney himself, Twinless explores what happens when two strangers mourning their identical twins meet in a support group and develop a bond that toes the line between healing and codependence. The film hits theaters Sept. 5, courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

    A Connection Born From Loss

    The story follows Roman (O’Brien), who’s reeling from the death of his twin brother Rocky (also O’Brien), and Dennis (Sweeney), who is also grieving his twin. The two meet in a bereavement support group specifically for twins who’ve lost their other half. While that premise might sound like the setup for a heavy drama, Twinless walks a more unusual, and darkly comedic, line.

    “In Twinless, two young men meet in a twin support group and form an unlikely friendship,” the synopsis reads. “Roman and Dennis both search for solace and an identity without their other halves and soon become inseparable outside the group. But when Roman meets Dennis’ exuberant co-worker Marcie, all is revealed to be not what it seems, as each man harbors secrets that could unravel everything.”

    Secrets, Suspicion, and a Whole Lot of Dylan

    If you’re expecting a straightforward buddy comedy or grief drama, think again. The trailer shows Roman struggling to navigate the world post-loss, sharing his time between therapy sessions and his increasingly close connection with Dennis. But the closer they get, the clearer it becomes that both men are hiding something, and those secrets may jeopardize their fragile friendship.

    O’Brien, known for roles in Teen Wolf and The Maze Runner, delivers a nuanced dual performance as Roman and Rocky. His portrayal earned him a special jury award for acting at Sundance. He admitted to Variety that his voice choices for Roman came from a place of emotional vulnerability.

    “My Roman voice, I got self-conscious about it immediately because he pointed it out,” O’Brien said of Sweeney’s direction. “But that’s how I was processing the weight of the very sheltered life he had experienced until that point, and then the tragedy that he experienced, and that’s what the f— came out. [James] was like, ‘I love it.’”

    A New Chapter for Sweeney’s Queer Vision

    Sweeney, who made waves with his 2019 debut Straight Up, brings his signature offbeat queer storytelling back to the screen. His blend of earnestness and razor-sharp wit was first introduced at Outfest and has since built a devoted following.

    Like Straight Up, Twinless taps into themes of identity, mental health, and the awkward, unpredictable nature of human connection, with a queer edge that refuses to play by mainstream rules.

    The film also stars Lauren Graham, Aisling Franciosi, Tasha Smith, Abbott Elementary’s Chris Perfetti, François Arnaud, Susan Park, and Cree. With its Sundance accolades and a premise that balances absurdity with emotional truth, Twinless is shaping up to be one of the fall’s must-see indie films.

    Catch Twinless in theaters starting Sept. 5.

  • Dylan O’Brien Praises Queer Community and Sibling, Stars in Upcoming LGBTQ+ Dramas ‘Ponyboi’ and ‘Twinless’

    Dylan O’Brien Praises Queer Community and Sibling, Stars in Upcoming LGBTQ+ Dramas ‘Ponyboi’ and ‘Twinless’

    Actor Dylan O’Brien is stepping into bold new territory this year with not one, but two LGBTQ+ films—and he’s doing it with heartfelt purpose and pride.

    The Teen Wolf and Maze Runner alum will appear in the upcoming queer drama Ponyboi, a groundbreaking feature starring and co-written by intersex actor and filmmaker River Gallo. O’Brien plays Vinny, a shady drug dealer entangled in a secret affair with the film’s title character, all while dating Ponyboi’s best friend Angel—played by The Haunting of Bly Manor star Victoria Pedretti.

    Set in gritty New Jersey and bursting with heart, Ponyboi follows a young intersex sex worker and laundromat employee who is forced to go on the run after a drug deal goes sideways. What follows is a surreal journey of self-discovery and survival, all underpinned by the film’s unapologetically queer lens.

    “I have a trans, nonbinary sibling and I know people in my personal life who are queer, and I am so grateful for how much it deepens my experience in this world,” O’Brien told Vulture in a recent joint interview with Gallo and other cast members. “It was really important to me to be a part of something like this as an ally.”

    O’Brien’s sibling, Julz O’Brien, is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. On social media, Julz often shares moments with their brother, calling Dylan their “very first best friend” and proudly celebrating their LGBTQIA+ identity.

    In a separate interview with Adobe, O’Brien admitted that working on Ponyboi opened his eyes to the lived experiences of intersex people, a community he previously knew little about. “Going in, I was extremely uneducated on intersex and the intersex community,” he said. “This was such an enlightening experience to me. River is someone I’ll carry with me for life.”

    Ponyboi made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024, earning critical acclaim for its bold storytelling and Gallo’s standout performance. The cast also includes Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus) as a mysterious cowboy and Indya Moore (Pose) as Charlie.

    For Gallo, the film marks a historic milestone. “Girl, Ponyboi prevailed,” they wrote in a statement. “We made this movie for the intersex baddies, dolls, misfits, and outsiders, and for it to finally be out in the world is nothing less than revolutionary.”

    Ponyboi opens in theaters June 27, distributed by Fox Entertainment Studios and Gathr.

    But O’Brien’s queer cinema journey doesn’t end there. Later this year, he also stars in Twinless, a tender, offbeat drama from James Sweeney (Straight Up), who writes, directs, and co-stars in the film.

    Twinless follows two young men who meet in a support group for people grieving the loss of a twin. As they navigate sorrow and identity, their bond evolves into a deep and unexpected connection.

    The film is set for theatrical release on September 5.

    Whether he’s playing a sleazy drug dealer or a grieving twin-seeker, O’Brien’s commitment to queer storytelling—and his personal connection to the LGBTQIA+ community—has never been clearer.

    For updates on Ponyboi, visit ponyboifilm.com, and for more on Twinless, check out twinlessfilm.com.

  • The Highly Anticipated Gay Comedy-Drama ‘Twinless’ Likely to Come to Theaters This Summer

    The Highly Anticipated Gay Comedy-Drama ‘Twinless’ Likely to Come to Theaters This Summer

    Twinless, the highly anticipated LGBTQIA+ comedy-drama that took gay Twitter by storm earlier this year, is gearing up for a potential theatrical release later this summer. The film, which gained significant attention after its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, is currently in final negotiations for distribution with Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate, and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, according to Variety.

    Directed by James Sweeney, who also stars in the film alongside Ponyboi star Dylan O’Brien, Twinless tells the story of two young men who form a unique bond after meeting at a support group for people who have lost their twin. Their unlikely connection leads to an intense and, at times, complicated friendship.

    Critical Acclaim and Sundance Success

    Premiering in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at Sundance, Twinless quickly became a festival favorite, earning the coveted Audience Award for its striking portrayal of grief, identity, and unexpected connections. The film has earned rave reviews for its blend of dark humor and emotional depth, with many praising Sweeney’s performance as well as his direction.

    Dylan O'Brien and James Sweeney in Twinless. Photograph: Lionsgate
    Dylan O’Brien and James Sweeney in Twinless. Photograph: Lionsgate

    With a remarkable 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Twinless has garnered attention for its emotional poignancy and sharp wit. The Hollywood Reporter highlighted Sweeney’s ability to mix “dry humor, gutting devastation, and emotional poignancy” to create a heartfelt and at times gut-wrenching story that resonates with audiences.

    Leaked Scenes Spark Controversy

    However, not all attention surrounding the film has been positive. Following its Sundance premiere, several scenes from Twinless were leaked on social media, causing a stir online. The leaked footage, which showed Sweeney and O’Brien’s characters in an intimate moment, prompted a copyright infringement statement from the festival. A Sundance spokesperson acknowledged the issue, explaining that the festival had to remove the film from its online platform in an effort to protect the filmmakers’ intellectual property.

    “We regret that online ticket holders will no longer be able to access the film,” the spokesperson said. “However, part of our commitment to advocating for independent filmmakers is ensuring that they can protect the art that they have created – now and in the future.”

    Star-Studded Cast and Anticipation Builds

    In addition to Sweeney and O’Brien, Twinless features a talented ensemble cast, including Aisling Franciosi (Speak No Evil), Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls), Tasha Smith (Survival of the Thickest), Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary), François Arnaud (Blindspot), Susan Park (Snowpiercer), and Cree Cicchino (And Just Like That…).

    As the film continues to make waves in the industry, LGBTQIA+ audiences and movie lovers alike eagerly await its official release. Fans of Sweeney’s past work and the strong supporting cast are sure to find something to love in Twinless when it hits cinemas later this year.

    For those still hungry for a preview, check out Sweeney, O’Brien, Franciosi, and Graham’s January interview with Variety for a deeper dive into the film’s making and the cast’s chemistry.