Common Sense Media Review
'90s weather disaster movie has violence, some language.
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Twister
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Based on 51 kid reviews
Kids say this is an exciting and nostalgic disaster film that is great for family movie nights, but it contains strong language and some intense scenes that may be unsuitable for younger children. While some praise the special effects and humor, others express concerns about the amount of violence and inappropriate content, suggesting it's more appropriate for tweens and older viewers.
- strong language
- intense scenes
- good family movie
- suitable for tweens
- great special effects
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When conditions create a perfect storm for multiple tornadoes in TWISTER, storm chaser Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) finds herself re-teaming with her ex-husband, Bill (Bill Paxton), to collect valuable data using their high-tech invention called DOROTHY. Meanwhile, corporation-funded Dr. Miller (Carey Elwes), armed with a similar device, tries to get the vital statistics before Jo and Bill do.
Is It Any Good?
This film's entire point is showing off elaborate special effects that create the experience of being near and even in a tornado. And though Twister tries, a tornado isn't an easy phenomenon to build a plot around—they can't be predicted more than three minutes in advance, and they don't last very long. So it's partly forgivable that the filmmakers didn't come up with much of a story. The relationship woes and scientific rivalries only serve as filler between scenes of huge objects hurtling through the air.
The opening scene, about Jo's first experience with a twister, is both exciting and scary. After that, the filmmakers satisfy themselves with thrilling viewers rather than frightening them. They also drop so many references to The Wizard of Oz that families can make a game of counting them. It's a bit of a disappointment that scientist-turned-scriptwriter Michael Crichton didn't challenge the audience a bit more here. Still, despite being clichéd, the characters are likable. In particular, Hunt is just as great of an example of a woman working in STEM as Jodie Foster is in Contact.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of disaster films like Twister. What aspects make them universally appealing to audiences of all ages?
How does the movie compare and contrast the two tornado-chasing groups? What can you learn from them? What are some of their behaviors and actions you might want to avoid?
The opening scene is a flashback showing a pivotal moment in Jo's life. What purpose do you think that scene serves in the movie?
Has the movie aged well? What aspects have, and what parts haven't?
Have you seen the sequel Twisters? How do the two films compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 9, 1996
- On DVD or streaming : August 27, 1996
- Cast : Helen Hunt , Bill Paxton , Cary Elwes
- Director : Jan De Bont
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense depiction of very bad weather
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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