Why TWISTERS Director Didn’t Want Movie to Be ‘Message-Oriented’

Published: July 19, 2024

Why TWISTERS Director Didn’t Want Movie to Be ‘Message-Oriented’

By Movieguide® Contributor

TWISTERS director Lee Chung is explaining why it was so important to him that his movie not be “message-oriented.”

“I just wanted to make sure that with the movie, we don’t ever feel like it is putting forward any message,” the director explained. “I just don’t feel like films are meant to be message-oriented.”

For example, despite showing many scenes of extreme weather, climate change is never mentioned in TWISTERS.

“I think what we are doing is showing the reality of what’s happening on the ground…we don’t shy away from saying that things are changing,” Chung said. “I wanted to make sure that we are never creating a feeling that we’re preaching a message, because that’s certainly not what I think cinema should be about. I think it should be a reflection of the world.”

TWISTERS was also a passion project for Chung, who grew up in Arkansas.

“This movie felt personal to me, between being an ecology major in college and simply growing up with this weather,” he told USA Today. “And we tried to pay tribute to the original TWISTER, a movie that meant a lot to me.”

Chung’s decision is clearly paying off; TWISTERS is on track to make big bucks at the summer box office.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that TWISTERS “could open anywhere from $40 million to $50 million domestically, according to tracking services (based on advance ticket sales, some exhibitors have it higher).”

The movie is also receiving rave reviews. A portion of the Movieguide® review reads:

TWISTERS is an outstanding adventure romance. It has appealing characters, powerful drama and funny moments with lots of heart. The music is wonderful. The storm scenes are intense, harrowing and exciting. TWISTERS has a strong moral, redemptive story about helping people, saving lives and making sacrifices. It also has a positive view of people living in the American heartland. However, TWISTERS has some foul language and scary moments. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.