Honestly, if you go back and watch The Internship today, it feels like a weird time capsule of 2013. You’ve got the primary colored Google bikes, the Vince Vaughn motor-mouth comedy, and that very specific era of tech optimism. But for a lot of us, the main reason to hit play isn't actually the Wedding Crashers reunion. It's the kid with the beanie and the attitude. Dylan O’Brien in The Internship basically stole the show, playing the cynical, tech-savvy Stuart Twombly in a way that felt way more real than the movie probably deserved.
At the time, O’Brien was mostly known for Teen Wolf. He was the high-energy sidekick, Stiles Stilinski. So, seeing him pivot to this "dark and stormy" genius who spent half his time staring at a phone and the other half judging Owen Wilson was a total vibe shift.
The Stuart Twombly Energy
Stuart isn't exactly "nice" when we first meet him. He’s that classic trope of the hyper-intelligent Gen Z (or late Millennial, depending on how you do the math) who thinks he's already seen it all. He’s cynical. He’s a bit of a jerk.
But here’s the thing: he’s also right about most things.
While Billy and Nick (Vaughn and Wilson) are bumbling through a video interview in a library, Stuart and the rest of the "reject" team—Yo-Yo and Neha—are actually trying to survive the cutthroat environment of a Google summer. O’Brien plays Stuart with this incredible dry wit. It’s not just the lines; it’s the way he looks like he’s physically pained by the lack of logic around him.
One of the best scenes is the Quidditch match. Yeah, they actually played Quidditch in the movie. While everyone else is leaning into the slapstick, Stuart’s transformation from "too cool to care" to "I will literally destroy you for this golden snitch" is where we see the classic Dylan O'Brien physicality. He moves differently than other actors. There’s a frantic, wiry energy to him that makes even a silly comedy feel a bit more grounded.
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Breaking the Teen Wolf Mold
For Dylan, this was a massive career jump. It’s one thing to lead a hit cable show; it’s another to hold your own against comedy legends who are known for improvising 90% of their scenes.
In interviews, O’Brien has mentioned how intimidating it was. He actually said it felt like "acting school" because he hadn’t had formal training before landing his big break. Working with director Shawn Levy gave him a chance to see how big-budget studio comedies are built. He wasn't just the "funny kid" anymore. He proved he could be the straight man, the romantic interest (sorta), and the emotional anchor for the younger cast.
What People Get Wrong About the "Google Movie"
There’s a lot of debate about how "real" The Internship actually is. If you're looking for a documentary, this ain't it.
Google actually opened their doors for the production, allowing them to film at the Googleplex in Mountain View for five days. They even had 100 real employees as extras. But the actual internship program? Totally fictionalized.
- The Competition: In the movie, teams are fighting for a single "golden ticket" job. In real life, Google’s internship is more about individual performance. If you’re good, they want to hire you. They aren't trying to make you Hunger Games your way into a cubicle.
- The Skill Gap: The idea that two guys who don't know what "on the line" means (instead of online) could get into a tech internship is... a stretch.
- The Roles: Real interns are usually assigned to very specific projects—like fixing a bug in Maps or working on a specific piece of Chrome. They don't just wander around doing "sales" one day and "coding" the next.
Despite all that, Stuart Twombly feels like the most realistic part of the office. He’s skeptical of the corporate "Googliness" and the forced fun of it all. He represents that part of us that just wants to do the work without having to wear a propeller hat.
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Why Stuart Matters for Dylan's Career Path
If you look at the timeline, The Internship was the bridge.
Right after this, he landed The Maze Runner. You can see the seeds of Thomas in Stuart—the leadership, the intensity, the way he observes people before making a move. He didn't just play a nerd; he played a guy who was guarded.
The character arc where Stuart finally takes off his glasses (metaphorically) and connects with the group is what makes the movie's ending actually land. Without that shift, the movie is just two older guys yelling jokes. Stuart gives the audience someone to relate to if they feel out of place in their own lives.
Real Talk: Is it Worth a Rewatch?
Honestly? Yeah. Especially for the ensemble. Beside O'Brien, you've got:
- Josh Brener as Lyle, the awkward but lovable team leader.
- Tiya Sircar as Neha, who brings a much-needed groundedness.
- Tobit Raphael as Yo-Yo, providing the heart (and the breastfeeding jokes, which... okay, that part is a bit weird).
The chemistry between the younger interns is actually better than the main plot. There’s a scene where they all go out to a club, and you see Stuart start to loosen up. It’s a small moment, but O’Brien makes it feel like a genuine character breakthrough.
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The Actionable Takeaway
If you're a fan of Dylan O'Brien, The Internship is essential viewing, but don't take the career advice literally. Don't go into a high-stakes interview and start talking about "Flashdance."
Instead, look at the Stuart Twombly approach:
- Be a specialist: Stuart knew his stuff, even if he had a bad attitude about it.
- Find your team: He only succeeded when he stopped trying to be a lone wolf.
- Adapt: The movie is basically about "unlearning" what you think you know.
Next time you're scrolling through streaming services and see that bright Google-colored thumbnail, give it a click. It’s a reminder of where one of the best actors of his generation "cut his teeth" before becoming a major action star. Just maybe skip the Quidditch parts if you're not in the mood for 2013-era cringe.
To really see how much he's grown, watch this back-to-back with Love and Monsters or The Outfit. The range is wild. He went from the kid in the beanie to a guy who can carry a whole film on his back. That's the real "internship" success story.