Twisters (2024)

Disaster films are never really considered horror films, even though they force us to face the horrific aspects of life as much as any horror. They are never categorized as dramas, even though the best of them zero in on the human drama happening during the disaster. They tend to get their own little category—reserved for the films where something terrible happens to a group of people—a fire, a crash, a weather phenomenon.

The original twister was more fun, action-comedy than anything else. This new version takes that mantle on and gives enough of the same beats and references to make it a clear sequel, even if it is not a direct continuation of the older story. However, Twisters manages to dial everything up a notch—the action, the special effects, the jokes, and even the character development and drama.

Ostensibly, Twisters is a story about survivor’s guilt and facing the fears and anxieties in a way that people have seemingly forgotten to do. Kate’s whole life is put on autopilot and on hold after a tragedy strikes. Her gifts, creams, and mission in life are forgotten and she is frozen by the anxiety that bad things could happen if she tried to reengage. When she is inspired to face her fears, however—or in this case, “ride her fears—she recaptures her beliefs and purpose in life.

There is an almost deeply meaningful moment in the film when the character that inspires her to live again, Tyler, reminds her that tornado classification is not based on size or speed, but rather on the damage it leaves behind. It is a reminder that we can’t live frozen in the “what might lay aheads” trying to avoid the damage that we can’t always predict or prevent. Instead, we need to live our lives with a purpose. In the case of Twisters, that purpose is not in chasing adrenaline, but rather helping others recover from and avoid damage that is preventable.