“The Twister: Caught in the Storm” is not a documentary about tornadoes in general, but rather a documentary about how one specific tornado changed the lives of an entire population in Missouri, United States. This documentary presents an almost cinematic narrative that tells us about the before, during, and after of the tornado. It’s narrated by the survivors of the catastrophe and some storm chasers who arrived to observe the electrical storm that later generated the tornado.
Directed by Alexandra Lacey, known for her work on high-impact documentaries like “Tinder Swindler” and “Three Identical Strangers”, this feature film focuses on the catastrophic EF-5 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, in 2011.
In this area of the United States, tornadoes are frequent and not a novelty. The inhabitants are used to them and almost always ignore the warning signals. They took it half-jokingly, as just another tornado among the dozens that had already passed through there. But that day in May 2011 was different, and that tornado changed the lives of Joplin’s residents forever.
About the documentary
“The Twister: Caught in the Storm” is a documentary about a catastrophe and how it affected the lives of those who experienced it and devastated the region. However, it’s not a dramatic documentary that focuses on suffering or emphasizes the tragic aspects. It tries to be objective, telling the facts to reach the human side of the event, how the tornado affected people’s lives.
Thus, “The Twister: Caught in the Storm” tells us how tornadoes originate and what made that particular tornado special. It tells the story of a couple who traveled to Missouri to see the tornado, and various stories of the people who lived there.
Yes, “The Twister: Caught in the Storm” contains shocking images of the tornado and the disaster it brought with it. It’s a documentary that you can’t stop watching, impactful both visually and emotionally: the chilling images of a devastating and terrible meteorological phenomenon.
Where to Watch “The Twister: Caught in the Storm”
