Every so often, a film arrives on the festival circuit that seems destined to leave a permanent mark. This year, that film was Twinless, the highly anticipated indie drama featuring Dylan O'Brien in a dual role as identical twins, Roman and Rocky. The film, which won both the Audience Award for U.S. Dramatic and a Special Jury Award for Acting at Sundance, showcased O'Brien's most mature and emotionally resonant performance to date. However, its moment in the sun was abruptly cut short when it became the second film pulled from Sundance's online platform due to piracy concerns.
The controversy, unfolding amidst a stellar reception, raises an urgent question: How can festivals safeguard the work of independent filmmakers while adapting to a digital-first audience?
Twinless: A Haunting Portrait of Loss and Identity
Directed by James Sweeney, Twinless tells the story of Roman, a reserved and emotionally closed-off man, and his outgoing, charismatic twin Rocky. When Rocky dies suddenly, his lover Dennis (played by Sweeney himself) struggles with guilt and loss, ultimately forming an unexpected bond with Roman in a twin grief support group. The film's exploration of identity, grief, and connection is both heart-wrenching and deeply introspective.
Critics at Sundance hailed the film's delicate storytelling, its ability to balance humor and heartbreak, and, most notably, O'Brien's transformative performance. The actor, known for his roles in Teen Wolf and The Maze Runner, delivers a career-defining portrayal that oscillates between the internalized pain of Roman and the vibrant life force of Rocky. The result is a mesmerizing character study that solidifies O'Brien's range and depth as a performer.
A Festival Darling Derailed by Piracy
Despite its critical success, Twinless has now become the latest victim of online piracy. Following the removal of Selena y Los Dinos—a documentary about the late Tejano music legend Selena—Sundance took swift action against the unauthorized leaks of Twinless. The film's intimate and emotionally raw scenes found their way onto social media, particularly TikTok, raising concerns about digital security for independent films.
In an official statement, Sundance expressed deep regret over the incident, emphasizing the importance of protecting filmmakers' artistic integrity:
“The film Twinless was a victim of copyright infringement on various social media platforms, therefore the Festival, in partnership with the filmmakers, has made the decision to remove the film from the Sundance Film Festival online platform.”
“We regret that online ticket holders will no longer be able to access the film. 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.”
With Sundance requiring all competition films to be available on its online portal—a practice that began five years ago—the issue of piracy presents a serious challenge. In an era where films can go viral in mere hours, how can festivals preserve accessibility without compromising security?
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Indie Cinema
Piracy has long been a thorn in the side of Hollywood, but for independent films, the stakes are even higher. Unlike studio blockbusters, indie films rely on festival buzz and carefully curated release strategies to attract distributors. For Twinless, this incident could mean delays in securing a distribution deal or the loss of potential revenue before its official release.
Despite these challenges, the film is already attracting major interest from buyers, with Republic Pictures producing and multiple distributors circling. If handled correctly, Twinless could still find its audience, but the situation underscores the urgent need for better digital security measures at film festivals.
Personal Impressions: A Film That Deserves to Be Seen
There's something profoundly moving about Twinless. It's a film that lingers with you, not just for its stunning performances but for the way it unpacks grief, love, and the unspoken connections between people. Watching O'Brien embody two distinct yet intertwined souls is nothing short of riveting. Sweeney's direction is delicate, never overplaying the drama, allowing the performances to breathe and the emotions to unfold naturally.
The cinematography captures an aching beauty, and the score complements the narrative's emotional ebb and flow. Losing Twinless to piracy, even temporarily, feels like an injustice not only to its creators but to audiences who deserve to experience it as intended.
The Conversation Continues…
As Twinless awaits its next chapter, the conversation around festival security and digital piracy grows louder. How can festivals balance accessibility with protection? And what responsibility do platforms like TikTok have in preventing the spread of unauthorized content?
What do you think? Should festivals rethink their approach to online screenings, or is piracy an unavoidable part of the digital age? Let's discuss.
