There’s a moment in every great romantic comedy where the leads lock eyes, and the audience knows—this is the beginning of something. But what if that something isn’t love? What if it’s reckoning? What if it’s regret? What if it’s the quiet, gnawing realization that the past isn’t just a place you left behind, but a debt you still owe?
- Why This Isn’t Your Typical Rom-Com
- 1. The Director: Alena Lodkina’s Unflinching Gaze
- 2. The Cast: Two Actors Who Specialise in Quiet Devastation
- 3. The Setting: Perth as a Character
- 4. The Cinematography: J-P Passi’s Eye for Raw Beauty
- 5. The Script: A Story About “What If”
- The Production: A Labor of Love (and Screen Australia’s Support)
- Why This Matters: The Rom-Com Renaissance We Need
- The Big Question: Will It Work?
- What to Expect When Twice Over Drops
- FAQ: The Burning Questions
That’s the premise of Twice Over, the new film from Australian auteur Alena Lodkina (Petrol, Strange Colours), which stars Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things, The New Mutants) and Mia Wasikowska (Bergman Island, Alice in Wonderland) as two people whose unexpected reunion stirs up more questions than answers. Described as “an intimate, quietly offbeat story of reconnection and emotional reckoning,” this isn’t a film about grand gestures or fairy-tale endings. It’s about the awkward silences, the unspoken resentments, and the way time warps the people we used to be.
And honestly? That sounds refreshing as hell.
Why This Isn’t Your Typical Rom-Com
1. The Director: Alena Lodkina’s Unflinching Gaze
Lodkina isn’t interested in easy romance. Her previous films—Strange Colours (Venice Biennale College, 2017) and Petrol (Locarno 2022)—are studies in emotional precision, blending realism with an almost dreamlike unease. Twice Over promises the same raw, unvarnished approach to love. Think Before Sunset meets Marriage Story, but with more sunlight and fewer answers.
2. The Cast: Two Actors Who Specialise in Quiet Devastation
- Charlie Heaton has spent years playing brooding, introspective roles (Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things, the tormented Caleb in The New Mutants). Here, he’s trading supernatural angst for human vulnerability—a man confronting a past he thought he’d outrun.
- Mia Wasikowska, meanwhile, has mastered the art of restrained intensity (Bergman Island, Club Zero). Her presence alone suggests this won’t be a lighthearted romp. If anything, it’ll be a slow burn—the kind of film where a single glance carries more weight than a monologue.
3. The Setting: Perth as a Character
Most rom-coms take place in New York, London, or Paris—cities that promise glamour and serendipity. Twice Over unfolds in Perth, a place known for its isolation and stark beauty. The film is shooting there later this year, and if Lodkina’s past work is any indication, the location won’t just be a backdrop—it’ll be a mirror, reflecting the characters’ loneliness and longing.
4. The Cinematography: J-P Passi’s Eye for Raw Beauty
The film’s DP, J-P Passi (Compartment No. 6, The Last of Us), has a knack for finding poetry in mundane spaces. Expect long takes, natural light, and a color palette that feels lived-in—less instagram filter, more sun-bleached memory.
5. The Script: A Story About “What If”
Co-written by Lodkina and Miles Allinson, Twice Over isn’t about fate or destiny. It’s about choice, regret, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. The logline—“two people whose unexpected reunion stirs long-buried feelings”—suggests a film that’s more interested in questions than answers.
The Production: A Labor of Love (and Screen Australia’s Support)
- Producers: Kate Glover and Nathan Lewis (Never/Sleep Pictures), Aidan O’Bryan (WBMC), and Gregory Jankilevitsch (Mid-March Media).
- Backers: Screen Australia, Screenwest, and Lotterywest.
- Casting Director: Shaheen Baig (Black Mirror, Adolescence), ensuring the chemistry between Heaton and Wasikowska feels electric but earned.
- Release Timeline: Shooting in Perth later this year, with international sales handled by Heretic (the Athens-based boutique company behind The Worst Person in the World and Sacrifice).
Why This Matters: The Rom-Com Renaissance We Need
Romantic comedies have spent the last decade either playing it safe (Hallmark-style fluff) or overcorrecting into cynicism (the “anti-rom-com” trend). Twice Over feels like something different—a film that embraces messiness without romanticizing it.
As Ioanna Stais, head of sales at Heretic, put it:
“‘Twice Over’ brings together two extraordinary talents in Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Heaton, whose chemistry promises to be electric under Alena Lodkina’s daring direction.”
But here’s the thing: Electric doesn’t mean explosive. Lodkina’s films are quiet, simmering—the kind of stories that linger long after the credits roll. If Twice Over delivers on its promise, it could be the antidote to algorithmic romance—a film that trusts its audience to sit with discomfort.
The Big Question: Will It Work?
On paper, Twice Over has everything going for it:
- A director with a distinct, uncompromising vision.
- Two leads who excel in emotional complexity.
- A setting that feels fresh and evocative.
- A script that prioritizes honesty over tropes.
But—and this is a big but—rom-coms that defy convention often struggle to find an audience. Films like Celeste & Jesse Forever or The One I Love were critically adored but commercially overlooked. Will Twice Over suffer the same fate?
Only time will tell. But if there’s one thing Lodkina’s filmography proves, it’s that she doesn’t make safe choices. And in 2025, that’s exactly what we need.
What to Expect When Twice Over Drops
- A love story that isn’t about love—at least, not in the way you’d expect. This is more about reckoning than romance.
- Performances that simmer instead of explode. Heaton and Wasikowska are masters of subtlety.
- A visual style that feels like a memory. Passi’s cinematography will make Perth feel like a character.
- No easy answers. If you’re looking for a neat, tidy ending, this isn’t your movie.
- A soundtrack that hurts. Lodkina’s films often use music sparingly but devastatingly. Expect silence to speak volumes.
FAQ: The Burning Questions
Is this really a rom-com, or is that just marketing?
It’s a rom-com in the same way Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a rom-com—technically, yes, but not in the way studios usually sell them. Think of it as an anti-rom-com for people who still believe in love, just not in fairy tales.
How does this compare to Alena Lodkina’s past work?
If Strange Colours was a mood piece about isolation and Petrol was a gritty character study, Twice Over seems like her most accessible film yet—but that doesn’t mean it’ll be conventional. Expect the same emotional precision, just with a slightly softer edge.
Will Charlie Heaton’s Stranger Things fame help or hurt the film?
It’s a double-edged sword. His fanbase might bring eyes to the project, but if they’re expecting Jonathan Byers’ angst, they’ll be unprepared for the rawness of Twice Over. That said, Heaton’s post-Stranger Things career choices (The New Mutants, Marmalade) suggest he’s eager to shed the teen-heartthrob image—and this role could be his breaking point.
When can we expect a trailer or release date?
Given that filming starts late 2025, we’re likely looking at a 2026 festival premiere (Berlinale or SXSW would be perfect fits), followed by a limited theatrical run and streaming release. Heretic’s involvement suggests international sales will move quickly, so keep an eye on early 2026 film festival lineups.
