After delivering an Oscar-nominated breakout in 2021 with Minari, director Lee Isaac Chung returns with a high-caliber blockbuster full of heart and harrowing thrills. The film, Twisters, is an indirect sequel to the 1996 classic Twister that follows a new batch of storm chasers as they come face-to-face with deadly twisters ravaging Oklahoma. Although Twisters is linked to a previous film, it treads new ground through its fresh faces and their competitive drive to tango with the toughest tornadoes – hooking audiences in the process. 

This growing beef between a group of researchers led by calculated veteran Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar Jones) and a rowdy party of thrill seekers run by Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) provides endless fun. These clashing personalities throw hilarious digs around that fuel a fierce tension between them and create an atmosphere that’s enjoyable to sink into. Tyler’s band of southern misfits are especially a blast because their energetic YouTube persona organically weaves into their presence as local icons. The pure fun of these characters is honestly a great reflection of the banger script from Joseph Kosinski and Mark L. Smith. The dialogue is filled with funny lines and conversations that let the raw chemistry of the cast drive the entire experience. Not to mention, Kosinski and Smith find ways for this fascinating world of tornadoes and storm chasing to be easily immersive and accessible for general audiences. By the time everyone is rushing to their vans and racing towards the next twister, you’re all-in on everything this adventure has in store. 

And, as much as the charm of these characters and this world are a testament to the great writing Twisters has, it’s also thanks in large part to this amazing ensemble that’s assembled. There are so many bright spots to this talented young cast, it’s honestly crazy. David Corenswet is delightfully smug as a minor antagonist. Brandon Perera is an incredibly lively entity in Tyler’s gang as the cameraman – delivering funny quips and energy with ease. Anthony Ramos is the perfect third wheel character who works neatly within the dynamic of the film’s two leads but has standout moments because of his great screen presence. 

But then there’s Powell and Jones, who are absolutely incredible the whole way through. Powell thrives as this huge YouTube personality that’s hard to hate even when he’s flashing t-shirts with his face on them or spouting catchphrases. There’s no doubt that he continues to evolve as a charming leading man here, but Jones is fully capable of going toe-to-toe with him. Their connection is immensely strong from their first bit of banter and they have this likeable dynamic with some sizzling romantic threads that audiences will lovingly eat up. Best of all though, Powell and Jones’ performances elevate the more tender parts of their characters and the film as a whole. 

Twisters isn’t just cheap thrills and appeal as Chung’s direction allows for a pure sense of heart and humanity to naturally enter the film. There’s a stark look at the devastating effects of tornadoes that not only heightens the emotion of the moment, but touches on the human impact of natural disasters in a necessary way. Chung expertly interlaces an unexpected, gut-punching reality between all the fun that adds some real stakes and meaning to these characters’ actions. Not to mention, it also brings out deeper shades of Kate and Tyler that make them so much more compelling. These scenes of Kate coming to grips with the losses she suffers in the film’s surprisingly grim opening and realizing what her team is actually up to help build a strong arc for her. It’s where Jones’ dramatic chops really shine through and Powell does an excellent job stripping away Tyler’s persona to show us glimpses into his morality. These thematic threads aren’t just where the personal touch of Chung’s direction come out to play. But it’s also where Twisters elevates from a standard summer blockbuster to become a connective experience that hooks you in between all the windy thrills – which there are plenty of. 

Twisters boasts some of the best theater thrills of 2024 because its weather-based terror is excellently characterized by Chung. His direction in the opening creates a horror-like presence through an amazing reflection shot. From there, each twister has this daunting presence that gets your heart pumping as characters rush towards danger. In general, the effects look great, and are matched by some stunning wide shots that give the film’s huge, open setting a remarkably gorgeous look. The threat of tornadoes also evolves from Twister in great ways as the addition of fire, multiple twisters, and jaw-dropping sizes spices things up in excellent ways. Plus, if you’re one of the lucky people who saw Twisters in 4DX, an interactive movie-viewing experience, you know that Twisters is a one-of-a-kind thrill ride. The fact that it completely elevates an underutilized style of movie watching speaks to how distinct and strong the film’s thrills are. 

Twisters is a behemoth of a blockbuster that thoroughly entertains and impresses at every turn. Chung’s direction reaches new heights by balancing character-driven heart and intense thrills as Powell, Jones, and the rest of the cast excitedly pull audiences along for the ride. Twister is one of the best surprises of 2024, and it raises the bar for summer blockbusters because it effortlessly evokes an ambition, care, and wild sense of fun that’s rare to find.

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