Dylan O’Brien has officially entered a new chapter in his career, one marked by critical recognition, festival acclaim, and a slate of projects that signal a sharp and intentional evolution in his artistic trajectory. Within two days, the actor received two major honors at back-to-back film festivals, reinforcing his position as one of the most compelling talents of his generation.
On October 31, O’Brien was presented with the Lumiere Award at the 2025 SCAD Savannah Film Festival in Savannah, Georgia. In its announcement, the festival described O’Brien as “one of the brightest talents of his generation, with a body of work that speaks to his proclivity for championing unique and personal storytelling.” The honor reflects a career pivot that has seen O’Brien gravitate toward character-driven roles and projects rooted in emotion, nuance, and narrative ambition.
The following evening, on November 1, O’Brien was recognized again, this time at the “Miami Film Festival GEMS”, where he received the notable “Vanguard Award”, given to artists whose work demonstrates depth, originality, and a bold creative vision in contemporary cinema. O’Brien accepted the award following a screening of Twinless, in which he delivered what most are calling his career-best performance.
“We are honored to present Dylan O’Brien with our prestigious Vanguard Award for his powerful work in ‘Twinless,’” said Lauren Cohen, Director of Programming at Miami Film Festival. “His raw and deeply affecting performance showcases his remarkable range and solidifies him as one of the most compelling actors of his generation.”
O’Brien’s performance in Twinless, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, has been widely regarded as a career high. The film earned the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award, while O’Brien, who also served as an executive producer, won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting for his role.
Directed by James Sweeney (Straight Up), the film follows two strangers (played by O’Brien and James Sweeney) who are connected by shared tragedy: both are identical twins grappling with the loss of their siblings. The project has positioned O’Brien as an actor willing to engage with complex, emotionally demanding material — and to do so with precision and vulnerability.
O’Brien’s momentum continues with the recent release of his new film Anniversary, which has begun generating industry conversation for its strong performances and grounded, emotionally charged storytelling. The project adds to an increasingly diverse body of work that highlights O’Brien’s interest in elevated, character-centric narratives.
In 2026, he will next be seen in Send Help, directed by Sam Raimi, marking a notable collaboration with the acclaimed filmmaker. The film also stars Rachel McAdams, pairing O’Brien with one of the industry’s most respected leading actresses. Expected to premiere on January 30th, the film is already drawing early attention as a high-profile project likely to further expand O’Brien’s range and industry footprint. We will also see him on Apple’s Being Heumann, adapted from the memoir of disability rights activist Judy Heumann.
From breakout success in MTV’s Teen Wolf to leading a global YA franchise with The Maze Runner, O’Brien first rose to prominence through youth-driven genre work. In recent years, however, his career choices have signaled a deliberate shift toward auteur-led projects, independent films, and roles with thematic and emotional weight.
With Twinless having earned critical momentum, Anniversary expanding his dramatic range, and a Sam Raimi collaboration on the horizon, O’Brien’s recent choices position him squarely on the radar of programmers, awards bodies, and top-tier directors. The dual festival honors don’t just acknowledge past work, they point to an actor entering an awards-caliber chapter, with industry watchers increasingly viewing O’Brien as a talent whose most significant performances may still lie ahead.
Fangirl and Writer with a huge passion for entertainment.
