There’s a “Tornado Warning” for a theater near you. Hollywood’s 1996 classic weather horror story, “Twister,” has been reimagined for a new generation, as its long overdue sequel is set to touchdown this summer at box offices nationwide. Like the original namesake, “Twisters” features a group of intrepid storm chasers canvassing the Midwest collecting meteorological data to be used for advanced forecasting. Although the redux has all the same plot ingredients coalescing for a perfect storm of thrilling destruction that leaves moviegoers on the edges of their seats, “Twisters” was given modern tweaks to appeal to a younger audience. Unlike the seasoned tornado chasers in the original movie, “Twisters” follows the burgeoning superstardom of a social media sensation joining forces with a storm-chasing novice all too eager to revisit her whiplashing brush with death after surviving a previous tornado.
America’s Growing Fascination With Extreme Weather
Hollywood is notorious for nostalgia pandering and capitalizing on previous hits with shameless sequels and rehashed plots that fall woefully short of the namesake title. While “Twisters” will inevitably have the same trappings as other belated sequels, early previews have hinted at enhanced stunning graphics that capture the raw intensity and carnage of actual tornados devouring the nation’s heartland. Besides, how true to form would a “Twister” sequel be if it didn’t have a few bovines swirling through the lower atmosphere? And spoiler alert: an early sneak peek confirms the dastardly duo return of twin tornadoes joining forces like two arch nemesis in any Marvel movie’s climatic end. But a more profound sinister element is building in the storm clouds of this long-anticipated sequel.
Tornadoes aren’t just exhilarating and horrifying; they’re also trendy. While slashers and whodunits have become staples in the horror genre, extreme weather psychological thrillers are particularly terrifying because the antagonizing boogeyman, “Mother Nature,” is a familiar foe we’ve all encountered. Almost everyone has been affected by a tornado warning. Although 75 percent of all warnings are false alarms, the unnerving feeling of scoping out ad hoc shelter during breaking news reports conjures the same primal fear of escaping a deranged serial killer on the loose. We’re also hopeless doom and gloom addicts. TikTok and Facebook reels are teeming with destructive extreme weather videos, allowing us to relive the carnage vicariously through harrowing mobile phone videos. Unlike the grainy storm-chasing videos of the late 90s, when “Twister” ripped through the box office, today’s high-resolution smartphone reels grant us unprecedented access to fascinating personal tornado encounters.
Protecting Your Family from “Twisters” Offscreen
“Twisters” return to the big screen most likely came down to timing. Tornadoes are on the uptick, and meteorologists believe Tornado Alley is now widening to include the southeast and Ohio Valley. More than 1,100 tornadoes touched down nationwide in 2023, and the annual tornadic activity is expected to increase with a warming planet. While “Twisters” will satisfy our blood lust for destruction and mayhem from the comfort of our living rooms, the compelling hit will be a subtle reminder of the dangerous world that awaits offscreen. Although tornadoes are mesmerizing as they are destructive, severe weather affects everyone. Tornadoes have been reported in every continental state. What will you do to protect yourself from these real-life horror stories?
What’s the first thing you do when you finish a scary movie? Almost everyone has jumped up to lock their doors or lower their blinds when the ending credits of a slasher film begin to roll. But how do you assuage your fears after seeing unsettling footage of a destructive tornado? No one can hide from Mother Nature. Tornadoes can rip through most residential structures, and cowering under your bed all but guarantees an early demise from crushing debris. But suffering life-threatening trauma from severe weather is not a foregone conclusion. Our panelized steel safe rooms and above-ground shelters offer perennial protection from tornadoes and conniving criminals. Our tornado shelters can withstand 250-mile-per-hour wind speeds and dangerous projectiles and are composed of quarter-inch steel plating. Furthermore, these shelters can be strategically placed in almost any section of your home with minimal foundational disturbance. Don’t become another statistic. Invest in solid steel protection today!
