"Twister," released in 1996, is a disaster film centered on storm chasers pursuing destructive tornadoes in Oklahoma. Upon release, it was praised for its groundbreaking special effects and thrilling action sequences but received mixed reviews regarding its characters and plot. Over time, while some aspects feel dated due to advances in CGI and storytelling, "Twister" has maintained a nostalgic appeal and is often fondly remembered by fans as a quintessential '90s disaster movie. It is generally regarded as a fun, entertaining film rather than a cult classic or underrated gem, with its reputation balancing between nostalgic favorite and dated relic.
Full Cast of Twister
Ewen Leslie
Ryan Gallagher
Ewen Leslie did not appear in the movie 'Twister' (1996). Therefore, there is no performance to evaluate, nor any unique aspects or behind-the-scenes stories related to his involvement in that film.
Harry Dean Stanton
Cleveland
Harry Dean Stanton delivers a memorable performance as Cleveland, the wise and seasoned storm chaser in the movie 'Twister' (1996). His portrayal brings a grounded and authentic presence to the film, effectively balancing humor and gravitas amidst the high-stakes action scenes. Compared to his other roles, such as the enigmatic mechanic in 'Paris, Texas' or the eccentric landlord in '
Repo Man,' Stanton's Cleveland stands out as a more relatable and affable character, showcasing his versatility. A trivia fact: Stanton was actually fascinated by storm chasing and brought much of his own enthusiasm to the role, which contributed to the film's authentic feel.
Leeanna Walsman
Bree Gallagher
Fans of Leeanna Walsman will appreciate her role in 'Twister' as it showcases her ability to bring depth to supporting characters in high-energy, action-packed films. Compared to her most iconic performance as Alice in 'The Matrix' series, where she portrayed a determined and skilled fighter within a dystopian sci-fi world, her role in 'Twister' offers a different dynamic—she plays a character thrust into the chaos of natural disasters, emphasizing vulnerability and human resilience. An interesting detail is that Walsman was initially hesitant to take on her role in 'Twister' due to the intense physical demands and the need to portray realistic reactions amidst special effects, which ultimately added authenticity to her performance.
Suzy Amis
Maureen Cleveland
Fans of Suzy Amis will appreciate her role in the movie 'Twister' as it showcases her charm and resilience in a high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping environment. In 'Twister,' Amis portrays Dr. Jo Harding, a meteorologist battling severe weather phenomena, which differs from her most iconic performance as Rose in '
The Usual Suspects.' While Rose is more mysterious and intertwined with a crime thriller narrative, Dr. Jo Harding is a proactive scientist and storm chaser, highlighting Amis's versatility as an actress. An interesting detail about her role in 'Twister' is that Suzy Amis actually underwent some storm chasing training to better portray the character authentically, immersing herself in the weather-centric aspects of the film.
Phoebe Tonkin
Olivia
Fans of Phoebe Tonkin might appreciate their role in the movie 'Twister' as it showcases their versatility beyond their most iconic performance as Hayley Marshall in the TV series '
The Vampire Diaries' and its spin-off '
The Originals.' While Hayley is a supernatural character with complex emotional depth, their role in 'Twister' allows fans to see Tonkin embracing a more adventurous and suspenseful genre, highlighting their ability to adapt to different storytelling styles. An interesting detail about their casting in 'Twister' is that they were chosen for their role after impressing the director with their dedication to physically demanding scenes, which contrasts with the more dialogue-driven supernatural dramas they are known for.
Crispin Glover
Howdy
Fans of Crispin Glover might appreciate his role in 'Twister' because, although it's a departure from his most iconic and eccentric performance as George McFly in '
Back to the Future,' it still showcases his unique ability to bring depth and quirkiness to supporting characters. In 'Twister,' Glover plays Dusty, a somewhat eccentric storm chaser who adds a subtle offbeat charm to the high-octane film. An interesting detail about his role is that despite the movie's intense focus on natural disasters and action, Glover's character injects moments of levity and humanizes the otherwise adrenaline-driven narrative, which is a testament to his knack for finding peculiar and memorable roles even in mainstream cinema.
Jenny Wright
Stephanie
In the 1996 disaster film 'Twister,' Jenny Wright delivers a compelling performance as Stephanie, bringing a grounded and relatable presence amidst the high-octane storm-chasing action. While she may be best known for her edgy and intense roles in films like '
The Wild Life' and '
Near Dark,' her portrayal of Stephanie showcases her versatility by embodying a character caught between personal stakes and the chaos of nature. A trivia fact about Jenny Wright is that despite her impactful roles in cult classics, she stepped away from acting in the early 2000s, making her performances like Stephanie in 'Twister' cherished by fans of '90s cinema.
Jacqueline McKenzie
Helen
In the 1996 film 'Twister,' Jacqueline McKenzie portrayed Dr. Melissa Reeves, a dedicated meteorologist and storm chaser working alongside a team to study tornadoes. This role showcased her ability to embody a strong, intelligent character in a high-stakes, action-packed environment, which was somewhat different from her earlier performances that often centered around dramatic and character-driven narratives. Compared to her prior work, McKenzie's role in 'Twister' stood out due to the film's blockbuster nature and wide international audience, allowing her to gain recognition in a mainstream Hollywood context. This performance highlighted her versatility as an actress, seamlessly transitioning from theater and indie projects to big-budget Hollywood production.
Dylan McDermott
Chris
In the 1996 disaster film 'Twister,' Dylan McDermott played the role of Robert 'Rabbit' Nurick, a rival storm chaser competing against the main team to deploy a tornado research device. This role showcased McDermott in a more action-oriented, ensemble cast setting compared to his earlier, more character-driven performances. Unlike his iconic television role as Bobby Donnell on '
The Practice,' where he portrayed a complex lawyer, his work in 'Twister' highlighted his versatility by placing him in a physically demanding and high-stakes environment. This performance stood out as it allowed McDermott to engage in a blockbuster, special effects-heavy thriller, broadening his career beyond drama into mainstream
Hollywood cinema.
Charlayne Woodard
Lola
Fans of Charlayne Woodard would appreciate her role in the movie 'Twister' because it showcases her ability to blend strength and vulnerability, much like in her most iconic performance in the play 'Neat'. In 'Twister', she brings depth to a character caught in the chaos of natural disasters, highlighting her versatility beyond the stage. An interesting detail is that her casting in 'Twister' was somewhat unexpected, as she was primarily known for theater work before transitioning to prominent film roles, demonstrating her dynamic range as an actress.
Robert Rabiah
Bilal
Joel Jackson
Damien Pascoe
Lois Chiles
Virginia
William S. Burroughs
Man in Barn
Nicole Chamoun
Zahra Al-Bayati
Ella Jaz Macrokanis
Maddie Gallagher
Tim Robbins
Jeff
Ron Vawter
Man in Bar
Pip Miller
Graham Newland
Yazeed Daher
Asad Al-Bayati
Susan Prior
Renee
Damien Garvey
AFP Officer Wade
Andrea Moor
AFP Officer Matera
Maha Riad
Yasmeen Al-Bayati
Callum Aston
Lachlan Gallagher
Crew of Twister
Full backstage crew list →