Twinless is one of the stand-out movies of the year, exploring themes of loneliness, identity, and forgiveness, and another we’ll keep under wraps to avoid spoiling the film.
Roman and Dennis meet at a twin bereavement support group and form an unlikely bromance as they search for solace and an identity without their twin.
The film is written and directed by James Sweeney, who also plays Dennis, with Dylan O’Brien starring as Roman.
So, what does a film critic who also happens to be a twin think of the movie?
“The first reaction I had was [I was] a bit frustrated,” says Montearo Brown, who blogs under the name Sprite Lee and hosts the Mad Reel World podcast.
“But as the movie went on, [I experienced] a little bit of laughter, then full enjoyment.”
But as a twin, Brown is not buying the way twin relationships are portrayed in the film.
Twin brothers Montego Brown (left) and Montearo Brown. (Supplied)
Lines in the movie like “Roman says you’ve lost a twin, so you know what it’s like to be split,” don’t ring true to Brown.
Brown says while twins are compared to each other from the moment they can walk and talk, they’re still two separate people.
“I know I’m my own person,” Brown said.
“But to the rest of the world, you’re just seen as ‘wow it’s amazing. So, do you guys think the same thing? Do you know what he’s thinking? If I punch you, does he feel it?’
“These are real things I’ve heard in life.
“And it’s not Hollywood.
“We’re real people and it’s a little frustrating.”
Twins aren’t always inseparable
He says while the film didn’t lean too heavily on these sorts of tropes, it did portray twins as being inseparable.
But Brown even moved halfway around the world to Sydney from Birmingham, Alabama, and lives apart from his twin.
“I was presented with an opportunity to move to Australia, and he could’ve joined me, but he was also presented with an opportunity to go to Germany,” Brown said.
“This was the time for us to part ways.”
Brown says while being so far away from his twin isn’t ideal, he didn’t suddenly feel like he was losing himself.
“To me, it’s not like that,” he said.
“It’s just never been the case, and I can say the same for my brother as well.”
Brown says twins often struggle to assert themselves as individuals.
“They suffer from not having their own personal identity because them and their twin are seen as a buy one, get two package,” Brown said.
“And I just personally don’t know too many twins that’s like that.”
He says he’s only ever once come across a pair of twins who did everything together.
“I’ve only met one set of twins like that in my entire life and I’ve met a lot of twins before,” he said.
Lauren Graham plays grieving mother Lisa in Twinless. (Supplied: Sony Pictures Australia)
Brown says he’d obviously be devastated if something was to happen to his twin brother and he’s sure his twin would feel the same way.
“Would I be heartbroken? Absolutely. Devastated, completely crushed,” Brown said.
“But am I not me anymore?
“I didn’t really feel like anybody else in that [bereavement support] group or the main character at least had any idea who they were without their twin, and I don’t feel that’s the case.”
Grief interrupted by ‘impeccable comedic timing’
He’s not holding any of this against the film, however, which he thoroughly enjoyed, especially once it took an unexpected and intriguing turn.
“The moments that are full of grief are cut short by impeccable comedic timing,” Brown said.
“I love the film. I think it’s an amazing film.
“It wasn’t what I was expecting going into it.”
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Twinless is in cinemas now.