We’ve put off writing about “Twinless” for as long as possible. We’ve dreaded this task not because the film isn’t worth writing about; on the contrary, the sophomore effort from writer-director-producer James Sweeney, who stars in the drama alongside Dylan O’Brien, is a largely engrossing and thought-provoking affair. Arriving in theaters months after its debut at this year’s Sundance Film ...

From left, Dylan O’Brien, Aisling Franciosi and James Sweeney in “Twinless.”

Roadside Attractions/TNS

We’ve put off writing about “Twinless” for as long as possible.

We’ve dreaded this task not because the film isn’t worth writing about; on the contrary, the sophomore effort from writer-director-producer James Sweeney, who stars in the drama alongside Dylan O’Brien, is a largely engrossing and thought-provoking affair.

Arriving in theaters months after its debut at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Twinless” is, on its surface, about the bond between two young men who’ve lost twin brothers. One, Sweeney’s Dennis, is gay, and the other, O’Brien’s Roman, is straight, and so you think you know the general shape of the narrative lying ahead of you for about an hour and a half.

However, Sweeney shows his hand only a few minutes into the film, and you know then that “Twinless” will be something different from what you’d expected.

Normally, discussing story components this early into a movie would be fair game. However, we’ll take our cues from the trailer, which heavily hints at something — gleefully dances around it, really — by keeping plot details light. We want others to have an experience similarly compelling to ours.

As “Twinless” begins, Roman has just lost his identical sibling, Rocky. As they grew older, they became increasingly different — Rocky was gay and the smarter of the pair — but Roman is absolutely devastated all the same and is lost.

After the funeral, he lashes out at his mother, Lisa (Lauren Graham), as they work on cleaning out Rocky’s apartment in Portland. (In the film’s production notes, Sweeney says he had to be talked into casting the former “Gilmore Girls” star, as he apparently packed his well-received 2019 debut, “Straight Up,” with references to the beloved show.)

Recognizing he needs help, Roman attends a support group for people such as himself, which is where he meets Dennis, who tells him about the loss of his twin, Dean.

They seemingly have little else in common, but soon they’re hanging out and even grocery shopping as a pair.

At the market, Roman informs Dennis that while he doesn’t like being laughed at when he shows his ignorance of a commonly known fact or botches a phrase, he would appreciate being corrected in the name of not suffering the same embarrassment later.

And after being offered a job by Rocky’s old boss, Roman decides to stay in Portland, in his brother’s place, which delights Dennis.

That Dennis is gay seems as if it’s helping Roman hold on to his brother, while Dennis clearly is becoming attached to Roman, who struggles with anger.

Complications arise when Roman — who’s already tried to hook Dennis up with a gay man he works with — begins to date one of Dennis’ coworkers, Marcie (an impressive Aisling Franciosi of “The Fall”). She is very friendly and cheery, and just what Roman needs, but Dennis found her annoying even before she starts to suck up his Roman time.

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Dylan O’Brien, left, and James Sweeney in “Twinless.”

Roadside Attractions/TNS

O’Brien — the star of the “Maze Runner” trilogy and “Caddo Lake,” a mind-bendingly fun sci-fi thriller from last year — continues to show his range in “Twinless.” You can’t help but better appreciate what he’s bringing to the role of Roman when he portrays Rocky in a flashback sequence.

Sweeney, meanwhile, isn’t a knockout in front of the camera, but he brings vulnerability and a truthfulness to Dennis that cannot be denied.

As a filmmaker, on the other hand, he is very intriguing. At one moment, “Twinless” can bring joy, filling you with apprehension at another. Along with its surprise element, the film feels authentically intimate.

The film drags here and there, but only slightly. And while some may want more from its conclusion, it lands just about right for us.

To a degree, we wish “Twinless” were what it presents to be from afar. That is an appealing movie.

However, so is the one we actually get, even if it is difficult to discuss in great detail.

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'TWINLESS'

3 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: R (for sexual content/nudity and language)

Running time: 1:40

How to watch: In theaters Sept. 5

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