Twisters Cut the Kiss That Fans Were Hoping For

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Warning: Contains spoilers for Twisters (2020). A couple of years ago, if you’d suggested that a sequel to 1996’s Twister would be among the top summer blockbusters of the 2020s, we would have found it hard to believe. However, Twisters turned out to be one of the most delightful surprises in recent times, surpassing its original in numerous aspects while seamlessly blending exhilarating action sequences with a talented ensemble cast. It harkened back to traditional blockbusters, balancing character development with action without letting special effects overshadow either aspect.

Indeed, one could argue that the talented cast was the movie’s standout feature. Daisy Edgar-Jones, known for her work in “Normal People,” shone as a highly relatable protagonist, skillfully portraying her character’s intellect, straightforward demeanor, and emotional depth, thereby anchoring the narrative. Moreover, Glen Powell continues to captivate audiences as an emerging star, exuding charm and almost irresistibly endearing viewers. On their own, Edgar-Jones and Powell were outstanding; however, the spark between them was electrifying, reminiscent of a thunderstorm, making it all the more frustrating that their blossoming relationship seemed to fizzle out in the film’s concluding scene.

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Why Did ‘Twisters’ Cut Its Kiss?

As a cinephile immersed in the thrilling world of Twisters, I found myself captivated by the evolving dynamic between storm chaser Tyler Owens (Powell) and meteorologist Kate Carter (Edgar-Jones). At first, I too viewed Tyler as merely a seeker of attention. However, it wasn’t long before I recognized that he was far more socially aware and compassionate than I initially believed. This newfound understanding of Tyler prompted a shift in Kate’s perspective.

In response to her initial dismissal, Tyler extended a helping hand to Kate, assisting her in grappling with the heavy burden of guilt she carried over the loss of her friends during a tornado. His empathy and understanding slowly convinced her to rekindle her passion for scientific research once more.

In the closing sequences, Tyler successfully persuades Kate against going back to New York City, encouraging her instead to keep chasing storms with him. Given how their relationship unfolded gradually, it’s surprising that there’s no kiss between Tyler and Kate in this crucial scene, even though it was later disclosed that a kiss scene was filmed but removed after the premiere of Twister.

Director Lee Isaac Chung made the choice following a test viewing of the movie where the kiss was included, which received both positive and negative feedback. He shared with Vulture his influential advice: “It’s more effective to leave the audience wanting rather than overwhelming them. I believe that’s what we’re achieving with the kiss. If viewers had seen it in the film, they might have left feeling it wasn’t necessary.

In the course of events, Steven Spielberg, who served as the film’s executive producer, suggested a modification in one of his notes – to eliminate the kiss. Edgar-Jones expressed, “I believe it prevents the movie from feeling overly stereotypical. There’s something truly enchanting about it suggesting that their story doesn’t end here. They are bound together by their mutual passion.” Powell concurred: “Indeed, this film isn’t primarily about them discovering love. Instead, it’s about Kate rediscovering her passion for storm chasing.

‘Twisters’ Was Wrong to Cut the Kiss, But It Reflects a Bigger Discussion

Although we can understand Chung, Edgar-Jones, and Powell’s perspective to some extent, we strongly disagree with them (despite Glen Powell’s continued exhaustion from the controversy). The intense chemistry between Edgar-Jones and Powell on-screen is hard to overlook, as well as how the script appeared to be organically leading towards a romantic relationship between them. However, the film’s primary emphasis was on Kate finding her passions again. Additionally, when a movie features Glen Powell walking through rain in a wet white T-shirt, it seems illogical to argue against the fact that audiences are anticipating some sort of rewarding payoff.

Discussions about the kiss in the movie Twisters mirror a broader conversation in cinema, focusing on the decline of intimate or sexual scenes in modern films. A study conducted by UCLA in 2023 revealed an intriguing preference among Gen-Z audience members. Approximately half of those surveyed expressed a desire for fewer sex scenes in film and television, instead favoring non-romantic relationships. The study indicated that 47.5% of respondents believed that sexual content is unnecessary in most productions, while 44% felt that such mature themes are excessively utilized.

In recent times, Oscar-nominated films have fueled more discussions due to their candid representations of sexual themes. For instance, the film “Poor Things” stirred up controversy with its explicit sexual content, whereas this year’s Best Picture winner, “Anora“, caused a stir when actress Mikey Madison chose not to work with an intimacy coordinator during production (even though she had complete control over her decision). In stark contrast, the film “Barbie” received critical acclaim for its narrative that emphasized female characters without making sexuality or romantic relationships the main focus.

In essence, it’s understandable why the creators of the movie, Twisters, chose to concentrate primarily on Kate’s emotional voyage, avoiding the stereotype of her being solely defined by her relationships with men. However, we feel that the film missed an opportunity for Kate to delve deeper into love and rediscovering her personal interests. Given the strong chemistry between the actors and the captivating allure of human interactions over CGI tornadoes, omitting a satisfying conclusion for this popular romantic-comedy was a letdown in an otherwise entertaining blockbuster movie. Twisters is currently available on Prime Video.

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2025-03-23 17:02