The 2025 Sundance Film Festival kicked off in Park City, Utah with a lineup of red carpet premieres and exclusive parties. Newcomer James Sweeney presented the world premiere of his second feature film, Twinless, alongside co-star Dylan O’Brien, delighting the audience with their years-in-the-making collaboration.
Sundance director Eugene Hernandez set the stage for the evening, highlighting the film’s seemingly dark premise of two young men forming an unlikely bromance through a twin bereavement support group. Despite the initial technical difficulties that delayed the screening, the audience was captivated by O’Brien’s performance as both twins, one gay and one straight, in contrast to Sweeney’s grieving Denis.
O’Brien’s rise in the film industry was apparent, with recent festival appearances and a role in Sam Raimi’s upcoming film, Send Help, generating buzz. The actor praised Sweeney’s script for Twinless, citing its blend of humor, tragedy, and authenticity as a draw for his involvement.
Sweeney reciprocated the praise, commending O’Brien’s commitment to the project since their meeting in 2020. The film’s exploration of twin identity loss struck a chord with Sweeney, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences and research in psychology.
Producer David Permut’s unwavering support for Twinless was acknowledged, while actress Graham expressed her pride in contributing to the film’s narrative. The festival-goers left impressed by the emotional depth and character dynamics portrayed on screen.
With its poignant themes and stellar performances, Twinless is poised for distribution following its Sundance premiere, marking a significant milestone for Sweeney, O’Brien, and the rest of the cast. The Sundance Film Festival continues to screen a diverse range of films until February 2nd, showcasing the best of independent cinema.