‘Twinless’ Acquired by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions for a September Release

Back at the Sundance Film Festival in January, our own editor Joey Magidson was very taken by Twinless, calling it the best of the fest. His highly positive review is here, though it’s clear that he’s not alone. It took the Audience Award, alongside a special acting prize for Dylan O’Brien. Now, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions has picked up the movie, with a September 5th release date. Could it appear at other festivals? Stay tuned, but this fall, you’ll be able to see what Joey and others are so fond of. More below.

Here is the press release:

LIONSGATE and ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS  announced today that they have  acquired the U.S. rights to writer/director/producer/actor James Sweeney’s (Straight Up) feature Twinlessstarring Dylan O’Brien (Saturday Night), Aisling Franciosi (The Nightingale),  Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls), Francois Arnaud (In Transit, Yellowjackets), Tasha Smith (Bad Boys: Ride Or Die), Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary), Susan Park (Shining Vale, High Desert) and Cree (Turtles All The Way Down). 

At the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the film was the winner of the Audience Award, and Dylan O’Brien was honored with the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting for his leading dual role as twin brothers. The film is currently sitting strong at 95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS will release the film theatrically in the U.S. on September 5, 2025. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions will distribute the film internationally. 

The film is produced by David Permut and James Sweeney. Dylan O’Brien and Miky Lee are executive producers, alongside Ali Jazayeri, David Gendron, and Liz Destro. Alex Astrachan at Permut Presentations serves as co-producer. 

“I’m delighted to pair up with Roadside and Lionsgate to bring our film into theaters nationwide. I’m holding ample space for Twinless and look forward to overthinking future press quotes.” – James Sweeney (Director, Writer, Producer, Actor)

“The sharp comedy depicts complex characters in such an irreverent, emotional and hysterical way.  The chemistry between Dylan and James is absolutely combustible and it’s a film that is best seen in a theater. I know we have found the right home at Roadside Attractions,” says David Permut (Producer).

Roadside Attractions co-presidents Eric d’Arbeloff and Howard Cohen added, “Twinless is both a genuine comedic crowd pleaser and a sophisticated examination of male friendship in the internet age. Dylan O’Brien’s performance in a dual role is nothing less than a star-defining turn and multi-hyphenate  Sweeney declares himself a generational talent both in front of and behind the camera. We are confident the film will connect with theatrical audiences nationwide as strongly as it did at Sundance.”

Three Point Capital financed the feature. The casting director is Jessica Munks.

In Twinless, two young men meet in a twin bereavement support group and form an unlikely friendship. Roman (Dylan O’Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) both search for solace and an identity without their other halves and soon become inseparable outside the group.

The deal was negotiated by Charlotte Koh on behalf of Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions. Sejin Croninger negotiated for REPUBLIC PICTURES. 

James Sweeney is a multi-hyphenate filmmaker who wrote, directed, produced, and co-starred in his feature debut Straight Up, a screwball romantic comedy, opposite Katie Findlay, Randall Park, and Betsy Brandt. After premiering at the Frameline Film Festival, Straight Up was the inaugural Breakthrough Centerpiece at Outfest, Grand Jury Prize winner at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, and nominated for Best First Screenplay at the 2021 Independent Spirit Awards. Sweeney was recently named one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch for 2025.

David Permut’s many credits are Hacksaw Ridge which received six Academy Award nominations  including  a Best Picture nod along with two wins, and the John Travolta/Nicholas Cage classic Face/Off. The most recent credits include Rustin, which garnered Colman Domingo a Best Actor Oscar nomination and Taylor Sheridan hit series Lawman: Bass Reeves which stars SAG nominee David Oyelowo. His upcoming high priority slate includes Being Heumann written and directed by Academy Award winner Sian Heder (CODA) at Apple, and Face/Off II at Paramount, the sequel to Permut’s 1997 hit film, to be directed by Adam Wingard.