Is Twisters (2024) based on a true story? Explained

Released on July 19, 2024, Twisters is directed by Lee Isaac Chung. The movie follows Kate Cooper, a scientist who abandons tornado tracking after a horrible incident. Her friend reintroduces her to the field to test breakthrough equipment, where she meets Tyler Owens, a social media sensation famous for his daring tornado chases. Despite their differing opinions, Kate is drawn to Tyler's confidence and charm.

The script, written by Joseph Kosinski and Mark L. Smith, is not based on a true story. It is an original plot inspired by the 1996 film Twister. Kosinski, famed for his work on Top Gun: Maverick, brings a new perspective to the sequel while paying tribute to the original.

Twisters, starring Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones, has quickly risen to become the number-one film in the United States. It collected $80 million on its first weekend. Although not yet streaming, it should appear on Peacock or VOD in a few months due to its strong box office performance and Universal's release strategy.

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Is the movie Twisters based on a true story?

No, the film Twisters is a new story inspired by real-life events but not based on true events. The screenplay was written by Joseph Kosinski, known for Top Gun: Maverick, and Mark L. Smith. The movie pays tribute to the original film but doesn’t depict real people or incidents.

Chung, the film's director, meant for it to tackle modern issues. Chung and his team discussed how 'climate change' affects the world and how things might have changed by the time the movie came out, even though the term isn't mentioned in the movie directly. Their goal was to portray tornadoes as realistically as possible, accurately capturing the destruction they inflict upon towns. They made an effort to paint a realistic picture that would strike a chord with viewers and effectively capture the seriousness of these natural disasters. This tactic helped the film gain more interest and relevance.

Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Kate Cooper in Twisters, a former storm chaser who now studies storm patterns in New York City after a dangerous encounter with a tornado. Her friend Javi, played by Anthony Ramos, persuades her to return to storm chasing in Oklahoma to test a new tracking system. There, she meets Tyler Owens, portrayed by Glen Powell, a reckless storm chaser with whom she has a clash of opinions.

Chung also revealed some behind-the-scenes challenges. The film was shot during an actual storm season, which added an element of unpredictability to the production. Chung described the experience as chaotic, with the feeling that life was mirroring the art they were creating.

The weather was unpredictable and difficult to control, which made the filming process even more difficult. The film's depth and relevance were enhanced by the production team's commitment to realistic portrayals and efforts to mirror real-life conditions.

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Closing lines

Twisters is a fictional story, yet it provides an engaging and realistic glimpse into the world of storm chasing. While not based on true events, the film covers real-life tornado-related themes and challenges, making it relevant to modern audiences.

People who wish to see this action thriller can watch it on Peacock for four months. Universal Studios has agreed to distribute their live-action films on Prime Video for another ten months.