Twisters (2024) [4K UHD Review]

Twisters is a sequel that no one quite knew they needed until it came screaming across the plains. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, this 2024 disaster spectacle is a stand-alone follow-up to the iconic Twister (1996). While the original gave us cow-flying action and Helen Hunt as the ultimate storm-chasing badass, Twisters gives us a new crop of storm chasers—and they aren’t just here for the adrenaline.

This time, we’re diving headfirst into a more emotional and, dare we say, complex whirlwind of tornadoes, heartbreak, and unexpected alliances. With Daisy Edgar-Jones leading the charge as Kate Carter, a meteorologist with a traumatic past, and Glen Powell as the charismatic Tyler Owens, this film’s wild ride makes Oklahoma seem like both paradise and purgatory.

The thing about Twisters is that it’s all about the connections—between people, nature, and those very unpredictable tornadoes. What really makes it click is the human drama that threads through the entire storm-chasing narrative, a step away from the relentless “twisters for the thrills” approach of its predecessor. Instead, we get something deeper, still thrilling but loaded with emotional stakes.

Twisters, Trauma, and Tornadoes

Twisters kicks off with Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a once-dedicated storm chaser who’s taken a step back from the tornado life after a tragic accident. She’s dragged back into the whirlwind—literally and figuratively—by Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), a well-known internet-famous storm chaser who’s as much about the spectacle as he is about the science. Together, they join forces with their respective teams: Tyler’s group, consisting of drone operator Lily (Sasha Lane) and videographer Boone (Brandon Perea), and Kate’s former teammate Javi (Anthony Ramos), whose involvement with shady investor Marshall Riggs becomes a source of tension throughout.

This time around, the tornadoes themselves aren’t just plot devices—they are characters, almost living entities that represent different challenges and evoke different emotions for our leads. One tornado, dubbed “Satellite,” intensifies from an EF1 to an EF3, ripping through farmland and forcing Kate and Javi into a life-or-death scramble. Later, an EF4 strikes while they take shelter in an abandoned motel, which, in true Twisters style, goes spectacularly awry. When an EF5 hits El Reno, the movie pushes its action set-pieces into overdrive, taking us from fiery oil refineries to collapsing water towers—all while Kate and Tyler rush to save trapped townsfolk.

The stakes are raised not just by nature’s fury, but also by human flaws—misguided ambition, corporate greed, and personal betrayals. Kate is trying to move beyond her past, and Tyler’s bravado hides vulnerabilities that surface in the worst moments. Their relationship is forged in the eye of the storm—at times playful, at times tense, but ultimately compelling. The climax, where Kate drives into the tornado’s center to release silver iodide and save the town, is as heroic as it is reckless—highlighting the unpredictable nature of human resilience and sacrifice.

Storm Chasers With Luggage Full of Baggage

• Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kate Carter: Kate is the emotional center of the film, haunted by a tragic event from her past—one that drove her out of storm chasing. Her return to the field isn’t easy, and it’s made even harder by the complex dynamics with her former teammates. Edgar-Jones plays Kate with a vulnerability that’s layered beneath her professional, often guarded exterior. She’s determined to make things right, both for herself and for those around her.
• Glen Powell as Tyler Owens: Powell brings his A-game as the cocky yet earnest Tyler. He’s charming, a little reckless, and a lot deeper than he initially seems. Tyler may love the attention that comes from his internet fame, but he genuinely cares about the people affected by these storms. His chemistry with Kate adds both tension and heart to the movie, as he helps her reconnect with the side of herself that she’d shut off after her trauma.
• Anthony Ramos as Javi: Javi is Kate’s estranged friend and a crucial member of the storm-chasing team. His relationship with investor Marshall Riggs complicates things—especially when Kate realizes that Riggs is profiting off of tornado-damaged properties. Ramos plays Javi as torn between his loyalty to Kate and his desire to prove himself, a tension that leads to some of the movie’s most dramatic confrontations.
• Maura Tierney as Cathy: Kate’s mother, Cathy, serves as her daughter’s emotional anchor. She’s the one person who sees through Kate’s bravado, and their interactions are a much-needed grounding element amidst the chaos of the storms. Tierney gives Cathy a warmth and wisdom that cuts through Kate’s fear and uncertainty.

The supporting cast rounds out the ensemble well—Sasha Lane as Lily is a standout, providing technical expertise and humor, while Brandon Perea as Boone adds an extra layer of tension with his fear of the storms that he nonetheless faces head-on. Harry Hadden-Paton as Ben, a journalist who’s following Tyler’s crew, provides an outsider’s perspective on the world of storm chasers—both fascinated and terrified.

Nature’s Fury and Human Frailty

At its core, Twisters is about understanding the unpredictable. Not just tornadoes, but people—the choices they make, the way they connect, and the consequences of their actions. There’s a constant push and pull between humanity’s desire to control nature and nature’s insistence on doing whatever it damn well pleases. Tornadoes, as depicted in the film, are the ultimate reminder of that power imbalance—they don’t care about your plans, your guilt, or your pride.

Kate’s personal journey reflects the broader theme of confronting the uncontrollable. She’s a character scarred by tragedy, someone who ran away because she couldn’t control what happened. Her arc is about acceptance—of her past mistakes, of the people around her, and of the fact that you can’t always tame the storm, but you can learn to survive it.

The film also takes a critical look at corporate interests in disaster situations, as highlighted by Marshall Riggs’ profiteering. His character is a direct contrast to Tyler, whose superficial pursuit of internet fame hides a genuine desire to help people. It’s a reminder that while some see tragedy as an opportunity for personal gain, others find purpose in trying to make things better.

The 4K UHD Visual Experience

Visually, Twisters is a beast. Universal’s 4K UHD release gives you the sense of being smack in the middle of a storm—the lightning flashing, the winds howling, the debris flying past your face. The Oklahoma landscape is brought to life in vivid detail, with the flat, endless horizon serving as both a canvas and a harbinger of impending chaos. The clarity of 4K makes every element—from the smallest grass blade being torn from the ground to the monstrous funnel clouds—feel that much more immersive.

The tornado sequences are pure spectacle, and the UHD treatment really makes them shine. The transition from a clear day to the boiling, storm-filled sky is seamless, and the sense of scale is massive. The scene in El Reno, where the tornado becomes a mile-wide EF5, is particularly jaw-dropping in its scope and intensity. The explosions at the refinery, the debris ripping through the sky, and the chaos that follows are all captured with a crispness that makes every second count.

Benjamin Wallfisch’s score (his first collaboration with Lee Isaac Chung) also benefits from the audio upgrade, with the music swelling during the storm sequences and retreating into quiet piano motifs during the film’s more introspective moments. The soundtrack balances between Americana and a more orchestral vibe, giving the film an emotional weight that complements the on-screen action.

A Sequel With a Twisted Heart

Twisters is an ambitious and thrilling follow-up to a cult classic, one that successfully balances the chaos of nature with the even more chaotic nature of human relationships. It doesn’t shy away from the emotional toll that storm chasing can take, nor does it forget to bring the action—and lots of it. With stellar performances from Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell, a story that is as much about healing as it is about twisters, and visuals that are downright jaw-dropping in 4K UHD, this film stands on its own while paying homage to its roots.

Whether you’re a fan of the original or just looking for a disaster movie that’s got a bit more heart, Twisters delivers. It’s the perfect mix of emotional drama, adrenaline-pumping action, and a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, we can find our way back to one another—if we’re willing to weather the storm.

What special features can I expect on the Twisters 4K UHD?

Twisters comes to 4K UHD with deleted scenes, gag reel, behind-the-scenes-featurettes and related materials. While most of you are bigger on the A/V Quality and it’s quite impressive, I thought it was relevant to acknowledge Universal’s effort to place supplementals on the disc.

Twisters is now available on 4K UHD and Digital everywhere!

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