Dylan O’Brien, ‘Twinless’ Director James Sweeney on ‘Helpful’ Intimacy Coordinators and the Influence of the Olsen Twins

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[Caution: The following narrative includes minor spoilers for the film “Twinless,” debuted on Thursday at Sundance Film Festival.]

Dylan O’Brien thrived in the challenge of taking on two roles for the movie “Twinless,” a darkly humorous drama centering around two companions who encounter each other at a support group for individuals who lost their twin. In this film, the actor known from “The Maze Runner” and “Teen Wolf” depicts identical siblings Rocky, tragically deceased, and Roman, forced to cope with overwhelming sorrow in the absence of his counterpart.

In a conversation at the EbMaster Studio, hosted by Audible, O’Brien remarked, “The twins stood out quite differently on the page. I found myself forming unique bonds with each of them effortlessly. It just flowed naturally.” He added, “For me, it’s a very tangible experience. When the process reaches its peak with costumes, hair, makeup, and the walk, talk, and posture adjustments that we had planned with director James Sweeney, that’s when things really click for me.

Titled “Twinless,” this film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday, marking the second feature by its writer and director, Sweeney. He also plays Dennis, a grieving member of a support group for twinless twins. Roman is another member who offers solace, and their friendship blossoms into an unexpected bromance. Without revealing the plot’s surprises, it’s safe to say that part of the story involves two main characters becoming romantically involved in intimate moments. Sweeney humorously remarks that directing himself during a sex scene was “a delightful experience.

Sweeney explains, “It’s simply a part of the narrative.” He continues, “It can be awkward; there’s the director within me and the performer within me. The director says, ‘This is what must be done,’ while the actor retorts, ‘I disagree.’ It’s the ongoing conflict I experience in my mind.

Sweeney brought in an intimacy advisor to ensure all scenes went flawlessly during production. “Dylan and I had a good working relationship,” the director shared, “yet it’s always beneficial to have an additional perspective on set.

O’Brien also valued having an intimacy coordinator on set, stating that the filming process ran smoothly once everyone had discussed the details of the scene’s organization.

He notes that it’s useful as it makes the primary focus of discussion become ‘What strategy should we use?’ Instead of focusing on comforts or personal boundaries, everyone brings their thoughts to the table from the get-go.

Sweeney acknowledges that, being a fresh face in Hollywood, he had apprehensions about portraying a character where viewers might find it increasingly difficult to support his actions.

Sweeney openly expresses his initial worries about playing a role whose choices could become progressively challenging for the spectators to identify with.

Lastly:

In an open conversation, Sweeney shares that as a novice in Hollywood, he had fears regarding the difficulty of the audience staying on the side of his character, given the tougher decisions his character would have to make.

Sweeney admits he had a concern, given his lack of familiarity with people, that they might dislike him. Yet, his ultimate goal was to create the movie. He aimed to walk a fine line, evoking empathy and showing how people could see their own darker sides reflected in the character as well.

Lauren Graham, portraying the sorrowful mother of the twins, contradicts the idea that Sweeney’s Dennis may be deemed dislikable. Instead, she asserts, “I believe he’s remarkably compassionate.” She explains, “That’s why the audience stays engaged. It’s because they understand him.

Sweeney may not be a twin himself, but he feels that children of the ’90s were nurtured on real-life pairs like Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Tia and Tamera Mowry, as well as fictional twins such as Lindsay Lohan in movies. In fact, there’s a moment in “Twinless” where someone imitates the 1995 movie of the Olsen twins, “It Takes Two.

Sweeney remarks, ‘Growing up alongside the Olsens, ‘Parent Trap’ and ‘Sister Sister’ have left a deep impact on me.’ This concept of having not just a look-alike, but a counterpart, is what fascinates me about twins. It’s almost like finding a soulmate; someone who truly understands you and sees you. In today’s increasingly isolating digital world, we all seek that connection.

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2025-01-25 03:17