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Sundance Film Festival has taken down “Twinless” from its online streaming after explicit scenes of the film were being illegally distributed through social media. It is the second film to be pulled during the festival out of piracy concerns after the documentary “Selena y Los Dinos.”
The film "Twinless," directed and starring James Sweeney, features Dylan O’Brien in the lead roles of twin brothers Rocky and Roman. The plot deals with grief and identity as the storyline follows Dennis, played by Sweeney, who, after the tragic death of his lover Rocky, befriends Roman through a support group for twinless twins. It has garnered critical acclaim for its strong narrative and performances alike, sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and winning the Audience Award for U.S. Dramatic at Sundance.
Despite the buzz around “Twinless”, the film struggled when explicit scenes-which include a sex scene featuring O’Brien-were recorded and leaked online across various social media platforms, including TikTok and X. Following this, Sundance, along with the film’s creators, pulled the movie from its online platform as an attempt to protect the creators’ rights and further prevent illegal sharing.
In an official statement, Sundance expressed their regret for the problem with the online ticket holders and asserted their actions in protecting the work of independent filmmakers. They assured affected viewers that their accounts will be credited with vouchers to select alternative films. The festival also acknowledged its commitment to combating copyright infringement and its intent to cooperate with law enforcement on piracy-related matters.
This incident underlines the challenges faced by film festivals in the digital era, between the openness of online screenings and the need to protect intellectual property. As the industry continues to forge its way through these complexities, the main focus remains on how creators can present their work without compromising the integrity or value of the work.
