Hollywood’s Staggering Silence: How ‘Twisters’ Missed the Climate Change Warning

Unveiling the Silence in Weather Thrillers

Lee Isaac Chung’s “Twisters” bears strong resemblances to its 1996 forerunner, “Twister.” Both movies showcase cowboy scientists navigating Oklahoma to collect tornado data. Despite the thrilling action, both films conspicuously avoid mentioning climate change, an omission that speaks volumes about Hollywood’s political sensitivities.

Back in the mid-1990s, Hollywood shied away from political controversy, as climate change denial was gaining traction on the right. Today, climate discussions are more mainstream, but the latest film still dodges the issue. This reflects a broader societal struggle with addressing climate change, which doesn’t lend itself to heroic individualism or quick fixes.

The protagonist in “Twisters” is Kate, a brilliant physicist and meteorologist aiming to disrupt tornadoes. Despite her innovative goals, the film’s narrative arc avoids the climate change conversation, focusing instead on her personal journey and storm-chasing adventures.

The film subtly acknowledges the increasing intensity of tornado seasons, but never directly connects it to climate change. Off-screen, climate change is recognized for intensifying weather events, yet “Twisters” sidesteps this critical context, highlighting a significant gap in its storytelling.

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Climate Change and Hollywood’s Narrative Dilemma

Hollywood action films typically feature a main protagonist who solves every problem, and “Twisters” is no exception. This format sidesteps collective action, which is essential for addressing climate change. Instead, viewers get a neat, feel-good narrative that avoids messy political realities.

Interestingly, there are a few oblique nods to global warming in the film. A shady businessman profiting from tornado damage might symbolize big fossil fuel interests, and a disaster scene in a theater showing “Frankenstein” hints at human-made monsters destroying their creators.

However, these subtle hints are far from a direct acknowledgment. The film’s focus on young protagonists like Kate might reflect the growing awareness that younger generations will bear the brunt of the climate crisis. These characters are more relatable to a generation deeply concerned about their future.

Consider these points:

• Younger protagonists symbolize the future burden of climate change.
• Hollywood’s preference for individual heroics over collective action.
• Subtle hints of climate issues without direct acknowledgment.

While these elements add depth, they fall short of a full engagement with the climate crisis.

The Younger Generation’s Climate Anxiety

The film hints at younger characters’ anxieties about climate change. A Lancet survey found that 59% of young people aged 16-25 are extremely worried about climate change. “Twisters” indirectly acknowledges this by featuring a young protagonist passionate about weather, subtly nodding to these broader concerns.

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However, the film ultimately falls back on the trope of individual heroes saving the day. This narrative offers comfort but doesn’t address the collective and political actions needed to tackle the climate crisis. It’s a missed opportunity to engage with the real-world implications of climate change.

Young people are increasingly vocal about climate issues, demanding action and accountability. Yet, “Twisters” opts for a simplified solution, avoiding the complexity of real-world climate action. This highlights a gap between Hollywood narratives and the urgent need for collective action.

In the end, “Twisters” provides an entertaining yet superficial take on extreme weather. It reassures viewers with a familiar plot but misses the chance to address the pressing political and societal challenges posed by climate change. The film reflects Hollywood’s reluctance to confront these issues head-on.

Conclusion: Beyond the Heroic Narrative

No individual hero can save us from climate change. The real solution requires collective effort, political engagement, and systemic change. “Twisters” could have been a film about these broader efforts, but it sticks to the comfort of individual heroism, leaving the audience with a neat, yet inadequate, resolution.

We need to move beyond Hollywood’s neat narratives and embrace the complexity of the climate crisis. This involves voting, protesting, and building power. Only through collective action can we hope to address the massive challenges posed by global warming.

While “Twisters” entertains, it falls short of inspiring the necessary action against climate change. It’s time for films to reflect the real-world urgency and collective efforts required to tackle this global issue.

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Hollywood must evolve its storytelling to include the reality of climate action. Only then can it inspire audiences to participate in the collective effort needed to combat climate change.