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Screaming across the screen this week at The Tryon Theatre is “Twisters” (Chung), a perfectly constructed summer blockbuster full of cinematic thrills and beautiful stars—a vehicle of pure, uncomplicated entertainment. 

“Twisters” is the spiritual sequel to the 1996 film “Twister,” exploring the same world and ideas but through the experiences of new characters in a newly composed narrative. The beautiful stars at the center of this film are Daisy Ridley Jones and Glen Powell, playing an academic and an entertainer, respectively, their characters rivaled in their approaches to their shared occupation of “storm-chasing.” Their performances are good, but are simple accessories to the appeal of the film, the appeal of spectacle. 

“Twisters” has received widespread acclaim for its success in achieving its simple but laudable goal: to thrill, without any complication of thought, raw experiential adrenaline. By situating the “threat” as a natural one, the film is evacuated of any sense of moralistic competition between characters. At worst, the interpersonal conflict present is a conflict of strategy, with the ultimate competition being between human and nature. 

This film’s special effects are used to fantastic ends as it throws us headlong into the storming devastation of tornadoes. The surround sound is at its best as the wind howls around one’s head. This film only asks viewers to take the ride and surrender to the fun of controlled chaos. 

This sense of danger without actual danger is a defining element of entertainment, recognized in the early days of Greek drama—the element of catharsis. “Twisters” taps into the same kind of giddying fear as a roller coaster, a completely artificial construction that safely induces the emotions of experiencing danger. As the screen pulls and throws you into the storms, a subconscious sense of dread creeps in, only to be replaced by joyful relief as the inevitable resolution calms any fear.

This film’s story is solidly constructed. At its simplest, “Twisters” finds  Jones’s and Powell’s characters, Carter and Owens, chasing storms. Carter, a scientist, seeks to apply her research to mitigate a tornado’s damage, having lost someone to such devastation years ago. Owens is an internet celebrity, brimming with brash charisma, hoping to levy his taste for adrenaline into capturing the perfect tornado footage. The rest of the plot from that set-up is only serviced by the experience. 

“Twisters” is perfect summer entertainment, thrilling without any vulgarity, and above all else, a darn good time. We hope you will join us for all the turbulent fun!