Actor and co-star call unauthorized releases “demoralizing,” film pulled from Sundance streaming

“That Sucked” — Dylan O’Brien Responds

September 5, 2025: Dylan O’Brien candidly addressed the fallout from sex scenes from his film Twinless being leaked online. At the movie’s Los Angeles premiere, he expressed his frustration bluntly: “That sucked. … stop doing that. It affects us.” His remarks highlight how deeply the leak impacted the cast and crew, overshadowing the film’s carefully crafted debut.

James Sweeney: A Demoralized Creator

James Sweeney—co-star, writer, and director of Twinless—also reacted strongly, calling the leaks “demoralizing and uncomfortable.” He condemned the entitlement behind disseminating unreleased footage on social media before its official release. The situation caused Sundance to pull the film from its streaming platform, citing violations of copyright.

Twinless’s Bold, Complicated Story

Twinless, which premiered at Sundance, features O’Brien in dual roles as grieving twin Roman and his deceased brother Rocky, opposite Sweeney’s character, Dennis. The film delves into themes of grief, identity, and connection—all set against a backdrop of dark humor. It won the festival’s Audience Award and earned O’Brien a special jury acting award.

Ripple Effects of the Leak

The premature exposure of intimate footage prompted Sundance to remove Twinless from its online roster, affecting ticket holders and disrupting the film’s digital presentation. Both O’Brien and Sweeney emphasized how damaging the leak was—not just personally, but creatively—undermining how they intended audiences to experience the story.