The movie "Twinless" a title gaining attention at the Sundance Film Festival was removed from the festival's streaming portal because of copyright infringement . This marks the second movie taken down from the festival's online platform due to unauthorized online distribution. Previously the documentary "Selena y Los Dinos" an award recipient at the festival was also removed after surfacing on social media platforms.
Dylan O'Brien's Performance in "Twinless" Receives Recognition at Sundance Film Festival
"Twinless" features Dylan O'Brien in dual roles portraying twin brothers named Rocky and Roman. The narrative centers on Roman's journey after the tragic death of his brother Rocky. Dennis a character played by James Sweeney who also wrote and directed the movie and had a relationship with Rocky feels responsible for Rocky's demise. Dennis then seeks out Roman at a support group for twins experiencing grief. The movie includes scenes with mature content and unfortunately spoiler content was also leaked online.
"Twinless" was showcased on the opening day of the Sundance Film Festival and achieved a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from film critics. The movie received the Audience Award for U.S. Dramatic category and Dylan O'Brien was honored with a Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting.
Sundance's Streaming Platform Faces Challenges After "Twinless" and "Selena y Los Dinos" Piracy
Sundance Film Festival initiated online streaming of movies during the Covid pandemic and continued this practice even after in-person events resumed in 2023. The streaming platform has been operational for five years. The online component of this year’s festival started on January 30 and concluded on February 2. The concept of a streaming portal has generated mixed reactions within the film industry with some concerned about piracy risks.
In 2021 Sundance reported that approximately half a million individuals utilized their streaming platform to view movies. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) also implemented a similar streaming approach during Covid and initially after returning to in-person events in 2021. However TIFF later discontinued this practice acknowledging the vulnerability of such platforms to piracy.
Republic Pictures Manages Rights for "Twinless" Movie Amidst Distributor Interest
Republic Pictures an acquisition division of Paramount Pictures produced "Twinless". Directed and written by James Sweeney this comedic drama was produced on a budget within the single-digit millions. Sources indicate considerable interest from potential distributors in acquiring the movie.
Official Statement from Sundance Film Festival Regarding "Twinless" Removal
Sundance issued a statement addressing the removal of "Twinless":
"The film Twinless was a victim of some copyright infringement on various social media platforms therefore the Festival in partnership with the filmmakers have 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."
The statement further explained that ticket holders who had not yet viewed "Twinless" would receive a voucher to select another movie. Sundance affirmed its commitment to maintaining the online platform for all remaining movies. The festival acknowledged the disappointment caused by this situation but emphasized its dedication to supporting independent filmmakers and safeguarding their artistic creations now and in the future.
Sundance also stated its serious stance on copyright infringement and intention to cooperate with law enforcement authorities concerning piracy issues.
Leak of "Twinless" Content Leads to Removal Despite Audience Award Win
"Twinless" a comedic drama featuring Dylan O’Brien was taken down from Sundance's streaming site after scenes from the movie were shared online without authorization. This occurred even after "Twinless" received the Audience Award at the festival. This incident followed the removal of "Selena y Los Dinos" due to similar copyright infringements. Sundance confirmed the removal and mentioned that vouchers would be provided to affected ticket holders.
Industry Perspectives on Piracy and the Future of Film Festival Streaming
Sources familiar with the "Twinless" situation clarified that the movie's removal was prompted by plot spoilers not solely due to intimate scenes. Director James Sweeney acknowledged the piracy incident while accepting his award. Festival attendees expressed their frustration on social media regarding the removal of both "Twinless" and "Selena y Los Dinos".
Film sales representatives have expressed concerns about online streaming platforms for film festivals citing piracy risks and a preference for theatrical screenings where audience reactions can positively influence movie valuations. Some industry participants however believe that fan enthusiasm even through piracy can ultimately benefit a film's commercial success.
Industry insiders pointed out that dedicated fanbases associated with Selena and Dylan O'Brien might have contributed to the spread of unauthorized clips. Sundance has generally managed digital screenings effectively with security measures in place.
"Twinless" Plot and Critical Acclaim Highlighted at Sundance 2025
"Twinless" explores themes of grief and relationships within a support group setting. Critics praised Dylan O'Brien's portrayal of twin brothers and James Sweeney's multi-faceted role as writer director and actor. Variety's review described the movie as humorous and noted its delicate balance of sensitive topics with comedic elements.
The cast of "Twinless" includes Aisling Franciosi Lauren Graham Tasha Smith Chris Perfetti François Arnaud Susan Park and Cree Cicchino. Republic Pictures is handling sales for the movie.
"Twinless" was recognized as a standout movie at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival with Dylan O'Brien receiving accolades for his acting and the movie winning the Audience Award. Critics have noted Dylan O'Brien's mature performance and James Sweeney's skillful direction and acting.
The movie's narrative follows Roman played by Dylan O'Brien as he navigates grief after his twin brother Rocky's death. Roman joins a bereavement group and forms a friendship with Dennis also grieving a twin. The movie incorporates dark humor and emotional depth exploring grief and trauma while showcasing Dylan O'Brien's acting range and James Sweeney's filmmaking abilities.
Dylan O'Brien's recent career choices demonstrate a move towards diverse roles following his initial fame in "The Maze Runner" series. His performance in "Twinless" along with his role in "Saturday Night" is drawing significant attention and critical praise.
O'Brien's portrayal of Roman captures quiet reflection and internal conflict while his depiction of Rocky presents a contrasting confident persona. The movie's narrative and O'Brien's performance are anticipated to generate further discussion and recognition.
Two movies "Twinless" and "Selena y Los Dinos" were removed from Sundance's streaming platform due to piracy concerns. This situation underscores the challenges film festivals face in the digital era as they seek to expand accessibility while protecting content from unauthorized distribution. Sundance's experience raises questions about the long-term viability and security of online film festival platforms.
Sundance's statement confirms the copyright infringement issues and the decision to remove "Twinless" in collaboration with the filmmakers. This incident is unfavorable for audiences and filmmakers and prompts reflection on the future of online streaming options for film festivals. Balancing accessibility with robust security measures remains a key challenge for festivals adopting online platforms in the current digital landscape.