Writer/Director J.C. Doler’s directorial debut, the Irish folklore horror film The Twin, has been picked up by Vertical for North American release next month.
The Twin releases on July 1, 2025.
The horror movie stars Logan Donovan (Colony, Magnum P.I.), Robert Longstreet (Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher), and Aleksa Palladino (The Irishman, The Penguin).
The film’s synopsis: “After the tragic loss of his son, Nicholas (Donovan) struggles with his grief and a strained relationship with his wife Charlie (Palladino). Under the watch of psychiatrist Dr. Beaumont (Longstreet), Nicholas begins experiencing terrifying visions of a shadowy figure that looks like himself. As reality unravels, Nicholas must confront his past and the supernatural force haunting him before it consumes him completely.”
Doler co-wrote the screenplay along with Paul Petersen, based on a story by Doler, Taylor Bracewell, and Chris Alan Evans. The film, previously titled The Fetch, was the winner of Best Screenplay at the 2021 Screamfest. The film had world premiere at the 2024 Austin Film Festival and won the Audience Award for Dark Matters Feature.
“After such a long journey, I’m incredibly proud to finally share The Twin with horror audiences everywhere,” shared Doler. “It’s a story about the things we try to bury that somehow find a way to dig themselves out.”
“J.C.’s atmospheric direction, paired with Logan’s haunted and physically impressive performance, has resulted in a deeply chilling story that horror fans will love. We look forward to presenting the film to North American audiences this summer,” added Vertical SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi.
The film was produced by Logan Donovan, Alexander Jeffery, Paul Petersen, Brittany Fallow, Chris Alan Evans, and J.C. Doler and executive produced by Jaime Schwartzberg, Andrew Schwartzberg, Ben Hoeller, Holger Fuchs, and Tamra Corley Davis. Doler was also editor on the film.
Additional below-the-line talent includes Joel Froome (A Chance Encounter), production designer Reece Roark (#ChadGetstheAxe), and costume designer Taylor Bracewell (Fast), with casting by Steven Tylor O’Connor (Hidden Canyons) and music by Zviad Mgebry (Vegetable garden in the conflict zone).
