The Cloudy Comforts of Twister

Dark clouds gathering outside my window always made my stomach turn as a kid. It was a primal fear, and although I can’t tell you exactly when it started, I can still sometimes feel my heart drop when I hear a weather warning blare from the radio today. Tornadoes, specifically, struck the most fear in me. Their undeniable power and destructive nature shook me to my core. They were one of the first things that made me confront mortality, to make me realize that bad, uncontrollable things happen in the world. It’s surprising then, that one of my favorite comfort movies is Jan de Bont’s 1996 spectacle, Twister. On paper, it doesn’t make sense, but at the heart of Twister is a story about underdogs, family, and trusting each other to survive. 

The movie, about storm chasers in Oklahoma and potentially the most unsuccessful attempt to get divorce papers signed, has everything you’d want from a spectacle-laden disaster movie. Every set piece is centered around a tornado, complete with flying trailers, houses, and, of course, cows. The special effects hold up surprisingly well today while retaining some 90s charm and cheesiness. However, spectacle aside, the main comfort and draw for this writer was the superb cast of characters we get to chase tornadoes with throughout the film. There are, of course, Jo (Helen Hunt) and Bill (Bill Paxton), our two divorced-but-still-yearning leads as well as the poor Dr. Melissa Reeves (Jami Gertz), Bill’s new fiance who’s essentially jilted from the start. 

The folks who stole, and always steal my heart every time I rewatch it, however, are the rag-tag group of storm chasers following Jo and Bill. Dusty (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Rabbit (Alan Ruck), and the others are who truly make Jo and Bill’s team a warm and believable family. Add in the fact that they’re the underdogs here, in competition with evil, sell-out meteorologists led by Dr. Jonas Miller (Cary Elwes), and it’s hard to not root for this small, storm-chasing family.

Perhaps the best example of the camaraderie on display in Twister that wins me over (and makes me hungry) every time is the steak and eggs scene. After encountering two tornadoes, the team has worked up quite an appetite, and so decides to pay a visit to Jo’s Aunt Meg (Lois Smith) for some sustenance. The clamor of dishes being passed around, mashed potatoes splashing onto ceramic plates, sizzling steaks, and laughter fills up the soundtrack. It’s a small, radiant moment between the team, and gives us the best glimpse into the dynamics and love between them all. Roger Ebert was right when he wrote in his review that the movie “...has no time to waste on character, situation, dialogue and nuance,” but the chemistry on display here almost makes up for it all. With a lesser cast, this scene would’ve been an unnecessary addition, but in the hands of actors like Hoffman and Ruck, these folks sharing a meal on camera feels like the most efficient and natural way to showcase their relationships.

My trust and care for these characters was established when they were cracking jokes and riding around in the “Barn Burner,” at the beginning of the movie, but it was solidified through this meal scene, mainly because it reminded me of many shared meals between my own family and friends. What better group of storm chasers could you ask for? This familiar warmth is what keeps me coming back to Twister, many years after catching it on TV on a whim as a kid. With each watch, as harrowing as the situations might be, I’m reminded that what feels like certain death can be overcome when you have the right people in your corner. The craftsmanship and silliness of it all (hi, Cary Elwes’ vaguely southern accent and Van Halen’s “Respect the Wind”) are the cherries on top of the spectacle sundae.

With a combination of a decidedly 90s ethos, breakneck pacing, and warm performances, it’s no wonder Twister managed to have staying power beyond its successful theatrical run. The movie went on to make appearances on networks like TNT, TBS, and USA, as well as have a theme park ride at Universal Studios Florida where you could get a taste of what everyone in the movie had to deal with. Twenty-six years later, Twister still lives on in the minds of blockbuster lovers, “90s kids,” and this writer as a hallmark of a singular time in filmmaking. Now, word is that Universal is gearing up for a sequel, expected to be released in 2024, further proving that the spectacle of Twister still has staying power. For now, I’m content to revisit my favorite group of storm chasers whenever the skies of my mind get a little cloudy.