Twisters (2024)

A Thrilling Reboot With Heart and Edge

A New Generation of Storm Chasers

In this highly anticipated follow-up to the 1996 classic Twister, director Lee Isaac Chung delivers a fresh take on storm chasing that speaks to contemporary audiences while honoring its predecessor. The film combines stunning visual effects with emotionally resonant storytelling, proving that natural disaster movies can offer both spectacle and substance.

The film maintains the familiar tension between two competing research teams:

• Tyler's grassroots crew of passionate and perfectly competent storm chasers, sporting a custom-built truck and unconventional methods.

• An officially established team of PhDs and scientists from NASA and FEMA, armed with cutting-edge technology and rigid protocols.

This dynamic feels fresh thanks to a diverse, multi-ethnic cast that better reflects modern America. The update moves beyond mere representation, integrating different perspectives and experiences naturally into the narrative.

The 2024 version introduces us to Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a trauma-survivor whose past research project ended in tragedy. Her character arc forms the emotional core of the story, as she battles both internal demons and nature's fury. Edgar-Jones, fresh from her movie debut in Where the Crawdads Sing (2022), brings depth and authenticity to the role of a scientist haunted by loss.

Alongside her is Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), a charismatic YouTube storm chaser who represents how technology and social media have transformed the field since the original film. Their partnership creates an engaging dynamic that modernizes the classic storm-chasing narrative for today's viewers.

Classic Rivalry, Modern Context

Spectacular Effects Meet Real-World Impact

While the original Twister (1996) impressed audiences with groundbreaking CGI for its time, Twisters (2024) raises the bar with state-of-the-art visual effects that make every encounter with nature's fury feel terrifyingly real. From flying vehicles to demolished structures and a devastating attack on a southern rodeo, the destruction is rendered with stunning clarity.

However, what sets this film apart is its awareness of real-world impact. Director Chung, drawing from his personal experiences with tornadoes, brings authenticity to the portrayal of natural disasters. The film acknowledges communities' genuine trauma and loss in these situations, making it more than just another disaster spectacle.

A Masterful Finale

One of the most inventive moments in Twisters occurs near the film's climax when a group of survivors seeks shelter in a movie theater. As the tornado rips through the town, the storm destroys the movie screen, leaving the theater empty except for the audience facing a giant hole in the wall. Director Chung creates a powerful meta-commentary on the relationship between film and reality. He cleverly uses this visual shift—a movie screen no longer showing a movie—to remind viewers that this isn’t just entertainment. While they're watching a movie, the dangers it depicts are all too real for many people. The outside world is chaos, destruction, and survival.

Should You Watch It?

Twisters (2024) successfully updates a beloved classic for modern audiences while maintaining its own identity. With strong performances, impressive effects, and thoughtful direction from Oscar-nominee Lee Isaac Chung, it offers both thrilling entertainment and emotional depth.

However, viewers who have experienced natural disasters firsthand should be aware that the realistic portrayal might hit close to home.

It’s a story about facing your fears, finding strength in unexpected places, and embracing the beauty of resilience in the face of nature’s most terrifying forces.

If you're looking for a disaster film that doesn’t just deliver thrills but also explores the personal stories behind the storm, Twisters (2024) is the perfect movie for you. It’s a blockbuster that captures the pulse of 2024—combining advanced technology, diverse characters, and universal themes of survival, fear, and hope.

From the producers of movie series, Jurassic World (2015) and The Bourne Identity (2002), Twisters (2024) proves that blockbuster entertainment can still be packed with both spectacle and heart.

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Viewer Advisory: The film contains intense sequences of natural disaster violence and may be emotionally challenging for viewers who have experienced similar events in real life.