Most critics find Twisters an enjoyable throwback that does its job without quite exceeding it, and the spread is wide: two five-star raves sit alongside a handful of reviews that rate it poor. The praise clusters on the storm sequences, which nearly everyone calls convincing and frightening, and on Glen Powell, whose self-aware performance is singled out even by reviews that like little else. Daisy Edgar-Jones divides opinion more; Paste calls her miscast and finds no chemistry between the leads, against the grain of most reviews, which find the pairing easy and likeable. The reservations gather around the writing. Several critics describe the characters as thin and the material about trauma, corporate motives and climate as a poor fit for a summer blockbuster; The New Yorker argues that shifting attention to ethics makes the tornadoes look merely destructive rather than awesome. Sight and Sound notes the film never mentions climate change; NME credits it with ecological awareness.
E
Empire
10 July 2024 · Beth Webb
85*
Twisters is celebrated as a gripping old-school movie event with rousing action, lived-in characters, and strong star power from its leads. The review praises director Lee Isaac Chung’s handling of the material, the chemistry between Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell, and the visceral storm sequences.
Read the full review →E
Evening Standard
18 July 2024 · Maddy Mussen
85*
Twisters is hailed as a thrilling, smarter-than-it-seems blockbuster with strong action, writing, and tight pacing that leaves viewers wanting more. The review singles out the natural chemistry between Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones and the enjoyable ensemble cast as key strengths.
Read the full review →L
Los Angeles Times
18 July 2024 · Katie Walsh
85*
The critic praises Chung for delivering a supremely entertaining summer blockbuster that expands on the original with thematic heft, strong chemistry between the leads, and emotional depth from Edgar-Jones. The action sequences, especially the opening, stand out as highlights.
Read the full review →I
The Independent
18 July 2024
80*
The review praises Twisters as a smart, old-school sequel that recalls the capable scientist heroes of the original while delivering sensory thrills. It highlights the charismatic leads Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell, sharp editing, and a sense of community and resilience amid the chaos.
Read the full review →N
The New York Times
18 July 2024 · Alissa Wilkinson
75*
The critic finds the film fails to fully capitalize on its leads' chemistry but succeeds as an entertaining disaster movie with strong set pieces and danger. Chung's direction brings a contemporary, grounded Midwest perspective rooted in his background.
Read the full review →T
Total Film
10 July 2024 · Jamie Graham
75*
The review notes Glen Powell’s continued rise as a star in this fun, effects-driven sequel that delivers on big-screen thrills. It highlights the whirlwind chemistry and spectacle while positioning the film as a solid summer popcorn entertainment.
Read the full review →G
The Guardian
21 July 2024 · Peter Bradshaw
65*
The critic calls it a serviceable disaster sequel from the Minari director, delivering teeth-rattling effects and spectacle as buildings are torn apart, but notes the thin science premise and fine but unremarkable chemistry between leads.
Read the full review →L
Little White Lies
16 July 2024 · 3/3/2 · Hannah Strong
60
Chung's shift to a big-budget sequel lacks the emotional depth of Minari and feels like a load of hot air overall. It has moments but is ultimately more drizzle than storm.
Read the full review →R
Radio Times
16 July 2024 · ★★★
60
Chung's serviceable summer spectacle never fully resolves its tonal mix of romance, thriller and disaster elements. Likeable leads and some spectacle are undercut by a lack of purpose.
Read the full review →T
Time Out
16 July 2024 · ★★★ · Phil de Semlyen
60
Chung clears a low bar with peppy cast, streamlined story and impressive VFX cyclones for an enjoyably old-school blockbuster. It may not sweep you away but delivers mayhem.
Read the full review →S
Sight and Sound
18 July 2024
40*
The film relies on thin characters and disaster-movie clichés between set pieces, with no mention of climate change. It prioritises spectacle over substance despite charming leads.
Read the full review →i
The i Paper
10 July 2024 · Francesca Steele
40*
The film is critiqued for lacking the simple charm of its predecessor, with overly convoluted plot points about trauma, climate, and corporate motives that feel mismatched to a summer blockbuster. While the special effects are spectacular and the leads have good chemistry, it ultimately fails to blow the critic away.
Read the full review →N
The New Yorker
19 July 2024 · Richard Brody
40*
The critic notes the sequel shifts focus from visceral spectacle to emotional stakes and ethical issues around storm chasing and science, making tornadoes seem primarily destructive rather than awesome. Characters remain underdeveloped, leaving the central performances and romance feeling hollow.
Read the full review →H
The Hollywood Reporter
10 July 2024 · David Rooney
The film is a middling sequel that unleashes fierce weather but lacks genuine excitement and incremental buildup in its storm sequences. It benefits from Chung's feel for rural Oklahoma geography and the sorrow shown toward devastated small communities.
Read the full review →T
The Times
17 July 2024 · ★★★★☆
The critic praises the slick, richly satisfying sequel as far superior to the 1996 original, highlighting elegant direction, strong performances especially from Daisy Edgar-Jones, and an eye-popping climax with clever set pieces.
Read the full review →V
Vulture
16 July 2024 · Alison Willmore
The sequel underwhelms by trying to be serious about a frivolous story, foregrounding tedious emotional trauma at the expense of lively storm spectacle. Glen Powell stands out with his charismatic, self-aware performance as the tornado wrangler.
Read the full review →H
HeyUGuys
10 July 2024 · ★★★★★ · Linda Marric
100
The critic finds the film a hugely entertaining white-knuckle ride that blends adrenaline with emotional depth and classic romcom elements, calling it a must-see summer blockbuster with soul.
Read the full review →N
NME
16 July 2024 · ★★★★★ · Jordan Bassett
100
Twisters is a wildly entertaining 90s-style blockbuster that delivers dazzling set-pieces and celebrates the idea of big-screen spectacle. It combines clever scripting, heart, ecological awareness and an excellent cast into the most fun film of the year.
Read the full review →C
Collider
10 July 2024 · 8/10 · Jeff Ewing
80
The critic finds Twisters a thrilling crowd-pleaser that captures the awe and terror of tornadoes while echoing themes from the original. Chung's direction and the leads' performances are praised, though some plotlines and character arcs feel underdeveloped.
Read the full review →D
Den of Geek
17 July 2024 · ★★★★ · David Crow
80
Twisters recaptures the simple pleasures of 1990s high-concept popcorn thrills through strong casting and effective spectacle. Chung's direction channels the original's formula into an entertaining modern context focused on the leads' chemistry and escalating storm sequences.
Read the full review →The critic praises it as a breath of fresh air, recapturing the breezy charms of the original with strong character focus and personality.
Read the full review →/
/Film
16 July 2024 · 7/10 · Jeremy Mathai
70
The critic calls it a satisfying, crowd-pleasing throwback that makes up for lacking originality with sincerity, big-screen action, and a Spielbergian sense of awe, while praising Glen Powell's star turn.
Read the full review →D
Digital Spy
10 July 2024 · Ian Sandwell
60*
Twisters delivers thrilling huge-scale set pieces with practical and digital effects that create real tension and spectacle. The story and character development feel generic and underdeveloped compared to the action, making it an effective but unremarkable summer blockbuster.
Read the full review →P
Paste
18 July 2024 · 5.5/10 · Brianna Zigler
55
The critic calls Twisters a breezy, fun disaster film with impressive tornado effects and Glen Powell's star power, but faults the lack of chemistry between leads, shallow characters, and miscasting of Daisy Edgar-Jones. It lacks the emotional anchor and ensemble charm of the 1996 original.
Read the full review →D
Deadline
10 July 2024 · Damon Wise
40*
The critic finds the film offers spectacle but little substance, criticizing the creaky dialogue and lack of investment in the plot, while noting it's hard to see who it's for beyond fans of the original.
Read the full review →Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate