Twisters (2024) | Film Review

Times have changed since Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton took to the extreme winds of Tornado Alley in 1996’s Jan de Bont classic, Twister. Special effects have obviously elevated substantially, weather patterns have grown even more unpredictable, but also Paxton and co-star Phillip Seymour Hoffman have both since passed away. Time does not always cooperate with legacy sequels in that way where you hope past stars pop up, and therefore, we journey on to a modern adventure with all new characters chasing Twisters.

Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is recruited back into the fray by her former partner and friend, Javi (Anthony Ramos), five years after a tragedy forces her to rule out storm chasing. Javi has garnered investors in effort to identify storms as they hit to study their design, complete with a nod to the first film’s Dorothy. Also on Javi’s team is the untrusting nor worthy Scott, next year’s Superman, David Corenswet.

As they begin their efforts, they also cross paths with the storm riding, YouTube sensation that is Tyler Owens (Glen Powell, chasing further proof he is the movie star of the moment). Tyler is an untamed cowboy, yet sharply intelligent leader of a gaggle of Gen-Z tech iteration who not only catches video of tornadoes in action, but he also gleefully drives into them, drills his truck in place, and rides them out. Much like your modern TikTok bros high on adrenaline jumping from high-rise to high-rise, seeming oblivious that one wrong step and you are no longer of this mortal coil. Of course, once you bring Kate and Tyler together, lightning isn’t the only version of sparks flying.

Twisters has very little in terms of ties to the OG Twister, but it surprisingly lives up to the potential and history of that film with flair (and literal fireworks). Minari director Lee Isaac Chung outdoes every expectation of what this film would be, as Chung imbues the bombastic destruction with heart and depth. Despite overindulging in this trailer at every single movie release since January, Tyler and Kate felt like fresh, relatable characters with sizzling chemistry and intriguing backstories. A pleasant surprise is an understatement when a legacy sequel lives up to the thrills and humanity of their predecessor from almost 30 years prior.

Glen Powell’s continued quest to be the next Tom Cruise barrels forward with gusto, machismo, and sheer charisma. Yes, he’s got IT, and has no qualms about reminding you that he is an actor to watch. Not only that, but Powell also truly possesses genuine talent along with the innate ability to win an audience over. Yes, he is in danger of overexposure now, but at least we have a deserving face to add to the growing staleness of the current crop of wannabe movie stars.

But the true star of Twisters is Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kate, a storm chaser with a bit of the old ‘Extreme’ in her aura. Edgar-Jones dominates every frame no matter who she shares it with and establishes herself as a star in the making. Kate deals with trauma in an oddly realistic manner (rare for a blockbuster) and struggles with that damage notably throughout the film. By the closing credits, both actors deserve another film should this franchise find itself demanding one.

The storms are catastrophic and brought gloriously to life with exceptional special effects, and the taut direction by Lee Isaac Chung grasps you firmly and tosses us directly into the storms path. It has always been a bit of an oddity, the audience’s obsession with natural destruction that could factually occur in their own backyard. Perhaps it’s that plausibility that endears us. And the effects in Chung’s film, as well as his flexibility in staging scenes (skillfully measuring quick cuts with long establishing shots to maximize the tension), create an exceptionally nerve-racking anxiety that only the best disaster films can muster.

All-in-all, Twisters is a delightfully entertaining thrill ride that drops you into the heart of the storm and leaves you there until the bombastic conclusion. This is not a film you want to wait for streaming, this is one any disaster fan cannot miss in a theater. If you loved the original Twister, prepare for yet another ride into the extreme.

Listen to our full podcast review of Twisters on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: