James Sweeney on Exploring Grief, Intimacy, and Perspective in Twinless

James Sweeney, the writer, director, producer, and star of Twinless, sat down with us to discuss the deeply layered inspirations and creative process behind his new film. The conversation revealed not only the meticulous research that shaped the story, but also the emotional resonance of exploring loneliness, identity, and intimacy through the lens of twinhood.

Although Sweeney is not a twin himself, he dove into research to portray the complexities of the twin experience authentically. He consulted twin psychologists, read studies, and spoke to friends who are twins. What stood out most was that being a twin is far from a monolithic experience. Every set of twins navigates individuality, intimacy, and identity differently, depending on factors like parenting and social environments.

Sweeney wanted audiences, especially twins, to feel seen. His research also uncovered fascinating insights, such as how the intimacy twins experience from birth can make relationships outside of that bond uniquely challenging. These nuances directly informed the dynamic between Roman and his late brother Rocky, as well as Roman’s growing connection with Dennis.

In Twinless, both Roman and Dennis are deeply lonely, though in different ways. Roman grieves his brother while searching for meaning, while Dennis longs for intimacy he struggles to find elsewhere. Playing Dennis, Sweeney leaned into the character’s vulnerability and gradual self-discovery, noting that the role allowed him to explore multiple sides of himself.

One pivotal diner scene captures Dennis articulating how he dislikes many parts of himself except when he’s with Roman. This moment, Sweeney explained, grew organically during filming and became a thematic anchor for the story: the idea that intimacy can help us see ourselves more clearly.

Sweeney, alongside cinematographer Greg Cotton, carefully designed the film’s visual grammar to balance objectivity and subjectivity. Early scenes unfold entirely from Roman’s perspective, while later sequences broaden the lens. Choices like the striking split-screen shot at a party where Roman and Dennis move through different spaces simultaneously highlight how perspective shapes the audience’s emotional experience.

Even subtle editing and sound design decisions were made to ensure viewers could lean into the dual perspectives without being overwhelmed. For Sweeney, the goal was to create a film that reveals new details upon rewatch, reflecting the layered subjectivity of memory and grief.

The tone of Twinless dances between levity and gravity. A funeral scene might carry a darkly humorous edge, while moments of connection slip between romantic comedy and psychological thriller tension. Sweeney attributes this tonal balance to both his writing and the versatility of his cast, which allowed him to modulate the emotional register throughout the editing process.

Ultimately, while Twinless draws from the unique psychology of twins, its emotional truths extend far beyond. The film is about grief, intimacy, and the ways we define ourselves through others. As Sweeney explains, “in real life, we’re many things,” a sentiment the film captures with humor, honesty, and heart.

Watch the full conversation below:

Q&A on the film Twinless with writer/director/producer/actor James Sweeney. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.

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