Review: Daisy Edgar-Jones & Glen Powell’s ‘Twisters’ – A Hot, Silly Spectacle

Twenty-eight years after Twister hit cinemas with Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, the quasi-sequel has arrived – and it is loud, silly, and worth the wait.

Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell, the new film Twisters sees Daisy’s Kate Connor, a former tornado-chasing enthusiast, lured back to the plains of Oklahoma by her college friend Javi (Anthony Ramos). Javi believes he now has the technology to learn more about how twisters are formed.

The film opens with Kate, Javi, and three other friends working on a college experiment. They use weather sensors and a homemade solution in an attempt to destabilize tornadoes, aiming to force them to disperse.

This opening montage – featuring atmospheric shots of the open rolling plains as storm clouds form and anticipation builds – throws the audience directly into the action. Much-needed exposition explains Kate’s goal and how she uses technology known as Dorothy (a callback to the original movie) for her hypothesis.

Tragedy strikes, leading Kate to abandon her ambitions for a meteorology job in New York City. However, Javi reaches out with a vague offer to join him in Oklahoma for a week. His team, Storm Par, plans to test a new tornado scanning system.

Five years have passed, and Kate is surprised to learn that storm chasing has become a popular activity. Teams converge in Oklahoma, seemingly enjoying the thrill of the hunt. One of these storm chasers is Tyler Owens (Powell), known as the “Tornado Wrangler,” who has his own YouTube channel and sells merchandise.

Tyler’s brashness and cavalier attitude towards the danger and destruction of tornadoes rubs Kate the wrong way. As their teams intersect on Oklahoma’s open roads, the film delivers the popcorn movie spectacle the audience desires: banter between the two leads and heart-racing anticipation, as tornadoes can strike at any moment in a multitude of ways.

Though Tyler appears to relish the danger, selling it to his five million subscribers, Kate’s mission is entirely different. She aims to tame tornadoes and address the devastation they cause in Tornado Alley.

This duality brings Glen and Daisy to life as Tyler and Kate. They discover their initial perceptions were misguided, realizing they might need to work together.

Daisy, known for her role in 2020’s Normal People, effectively portrays Kate’s wit and hidden softness, shielded by years of guilt.

Tyler is a perfect fit for Glen. A scene in the second act where Tyler walks through the rain in blue denim, a white tee, and a cowboy hat had half the theater cheering and the other half laughing at its boldness.

Glen, seen in The Set Up and Top Gun: Maverick, embraces the humor, making him one of 21st century’s best leading men. He adds depth to what could have been a two-dimensional character.

Kate’s arc remains grounded, focusing on action rather than excessive preachiness. It’s no spoiler to reveal that Kate ultimately saves the day in an over-the-top, heart-pounding climax, tying together everything she has learned about Mother Nature.

The sight of Kate heading towards danger, while three men watch from a doorway? That’s pure cinema.