Sometimes you aren’t looking for the most in-depth, plot-twisting movie to watch on a Friday night. So for this week’s ‘Friday Night Movies‘, we bring you into the heart of the storm with ‘Twister,’ a film that swirls with action and groundbreaking special effects (for its day). Directed by Jan de Bont and released in 1996, ‘Twister’ captivated audiences with its visual spectacle and revolutionised disaster cinema, making it a must-see for thrill-seeker movie buffs.
Plot
‘Twister’ spins around storm chasers Dr. Jo Harding and Bill Harding, a couple on the brink of divorce who must reunite under extreme circumstances (literally). They race against time—and a competitive storm-chasing team led by Dr. Jonas Miller — to deploy Dorothy, an experimental weather instrument that could revolutionise tornado warnings.
Set against the backdrop of Oklahoma’s Tornado Alley during the most destructive storm season in decades, the film combines high-stakes drama with personal struggles, creating a compelling narrative about passion, rivalry, and survival.
Cast
Helen Hunt stars as Dr. Jo Harding, bringing a mix of tenacity and vulnerability to her role. Hunt’s performance is both grounded and intense, reflecting her character’s dedication to her profession and complex feelings about her impending divorce. Bill Paxton plays her estranged husband, Bill Harding, with a charismatic blend of bravado and sincerity that complements Hunt’s more measured performance.
Supporting them, Cary Elwes portrays Dr. Jonas Miller, whose ruthless methods contrast with the Hardings’ more ethical approach. Elwes’ character adds tension to the film, making their encounters on the storm-laden battlefields as unpredictable as the twisters they chase.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, playing the lovable and enthusiastic Dusty, injects humour and heart into the story, balancing the film’s more intense moments with lighter, more human ones.
Reviews and Awards
Upon its release, ‘Twister’ stormed the box office, becoming a massive hit thanks to its pioneering visual effects perfect for the big screen experience. Critics praised the film for its impressive special effects, which were cutting-edge at the time, and its fast-paced narrative. On Rotten Tomatoes, ‘Twister’ has gathered an Audience Score of only 58% – perhaps with viewers trying to make too much of a movie whose sole purpose is to drive visual impact and adrenaline thrills. Over at IMDb audiences have been a bit kinder to ‘Twister’ with a 6.4/10 score from over 200,000 reviews.
Trailer
Memorable Moments
‘Twister’ is packed with memorable moments that have since become iconic in the disaster genre. Perhaps the most unforgettable is the “We got cows” scene, which humorously captures tornadoes’ bizarre and chaotic nature by showing a cow being hurled across the road by the storm.
How To Watch Twister
Twisters Trailer
Also to get you excited there’s a new Twister movie coming called Twisters.
Until next week — enjoy the thrills of ‘Twister’.