• The new “Twisters” movie, a sequel to the 1996 storm-chasing classic, stars Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Kiernan Shipka in a thrilling adventure.
• Viewers were left confused by the film’s surprising ending.
• Two distinct explanations have emerged to shed light on the unexpected elimination of one particular scene.

“Twisters” brings a fresh gust of excitement to the disaster film genre and picks up the storm-chasing legacy nearly three decades after the original captivated audiences. With Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Kiernan Shipka leading a talented cast, the movie delivers high-octane action sequences and stunning visual effects as their characters race to understand nature’s most violent storms.

The ending of “Twisters,” however, has led to a bit of controversy and debate among viewers. As fans left theaters, many found themselves feeling empty about the conclusion of this story, but there are two reasons why the movie was edited in such a way. Let’s discover what happened!

The Stormy Sequel

“Twisters” serves as a standalone sequel to the original 1996 film “Twister,” which starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton.

The new installment features Powell in the leading role, alongside a talented cast including Edgar-Jones, Shipka, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, and Sasha Lane. It was directed by Lee Isaac Chung and the screenplay was written by Mark L. Smith.

The film’s premise centers on a group of storm chasers who employ innovative methods to combat increasingly dangerous tornadoes. But that’s not what captivates audiences the most.

The relationships between the characters on screen are the main draw. They show bravery, friendship, and even love for each other. However, this is not a romantic comedy, something Powell is currently known for.

Instead, the plot aims to balance thrilling action sequences with character development. What’s more, it focuses on a passion for storm chasing rather than the conventional happy endings seen in other films.

Therefore, it makes sense that viewers had several mixed reactions to the last scene in the film, which promised to give the main leads a satisfying conclusion to their explosive chemistry. Let’s discover what fans had to say.

Warning: Major Spoilers Ahead!

The Ending Left Users Scratching Their Heads

The conclusion of “Twisters” left audiences confused, but not for the reasons one might expect from a disaster film. Instead of the typical Hollywood happy ending, viewers were left perplexed by a particular omission in the final scene.

The connection between leads Powell and Edgar-Jones was undeniable throughout the story, especially because it built a strong crescendo for a climactic moment that never materialized.

As a result, users took to social media to express their bewilderment and frustration.

One Twitter user exclaimed, “WHY DID THEY CUT THE KISS FROM TWISTERS?!?!?!??????????????? [sic].” Another lamented, “Twisters spoilers ahead but movies used to have kissing [sic].“

The absence of a public display of affection between the main characters left some viewers feeling cheated. The controversy deepened when it was revealed that a kiss scene had indeed been filmed, but was ultimately left on the cutting room floor.

This decision led to dramatic calls for an explanation. One user sarcastically wrote, “I loved TWISTERS but there needs to be a tribunal, an investigation into what happened here. Someone needs to go to jail [sic].“

As fans were still baffled by this editing decision, two distinct explanations emerged to clarify why any kind of love story between the main characters was avoided.

Let’s find out both versions, so you can decide which one makes more sense.

Ending Explained: Version 1

The first explanation for the controversial ending comes from the stars themselves. In an interview with Collider, Powell and Edgar-Jones shed light on the decision to omit the kiss scene.

The actress revealed that it was a note from Steven Spielberg himself that influenced this choice.

“I think it’s a Spielberg note, wasn’t it? Do you know what it is? I think it stops the film feeling too clichéd, actually. I think there’s something really wonderful about it, feeling like there’s a continuation. This isn’t the end of their story. They’re united by their shared passion for something,” she explained.

Powell also mentioned that in his opinion, the movie wasn’t centered around the characters finding love, but rather Kate rediscovering that she loves storm chasing. He noted this was the focus of the film’s conclusion, and considered it a signature Spielberg touch.

This approach, aimed to highlight the characters’ shared interest in their work rather than a conventional romantic resolution, may appear odd, but it’s refreshing considering how most movies end.

Furthermore, any unfinished business between the main characters could result in future sequels, which is ultimately the goal of any production company. “Twisters” has been well-received at the box office, so another installment may not be far off.

However, there’s another explanation for the ending of the movie, and it’s a little more about the current movie viewers and the story the creators wanted to tell. Let’s discover it!

Ending Explained: Version 2

A second explanation for this decision offers additional context to the decision-making process. Director Chung revealed that multiple options were considered before settling on the final cut.

He stated that viewers have changed in recent years, so a kiss scene would be more than “polarizing.” “I feel like audiences are in a different place now in terms of wanting a kiss or not wanting a kiss,” Chung explained.

Chung told Entertainment Weekly that the scene that made it into the movie was the “other option” they shot on the same day and he liked it much more. The director also added that anyone who wanted a kiss should assume they’ll “kiss someday.”

Powell acknowledged that he doesn’t know why some people still expect a film to be “binary in genre.” What he loved the most about making this project was feeling “the ebbs and flows” in the different scene styles that were presented.

But the actor also joked that perhaps Chung didn’t like how the kiss scene turned out. “I’m taking a little offense that they didn’t want to use it. Maybe it’s just my abilities, I don’t know,” Powell laughed.

Meanwhile, the director highlighted that the movie was focused on Kate’s personal growth. Concluding the story with a kiss would imply that her journey was solely about finding romance. Instead, he believes the more fitting ending was one where Kate could continue pursuing her calling with “a smile on her face.”

This perspective aligns with the film’s overall theme of rekindling passion for one’s work and finding peace within yourself.

However, if the point was to end on a different note, why was “Twisters” finale shot at an airport, a place that has been known for including a kiss scene in many other iconic films?

The Decision to End the Film at an Airport

Concluding the movie at an airport was a deliberate choice by Chung, who pitched this idea during his first meeting to discuss whether or not he would direct the project.

The setting not only showed that these characters are linked through an interest in science but also offered a chance for them to explore their connection on a personal level, even if it’s not romantic.

Powell explained the airport scene’s significance:

“Most of this movie, they’re looking towards the weather — towards the science — and they’re facing the same direction. Or they’re driving facing forward. And this is one moment in the movie where they’re facing each other, just two people without any weather to look at, wondering if they are more than just the weather around them.”

The actor also pointed out that the airport setting was a clever way to end the story. There’s a severe weather announcement coming through the airport speakers, which is perfect for two people who love chasing natural phenomena. It ties the narrative together and cements their bond.

Edgar-Jones also added her thoughts on the final scene, “I think there was something kind of magic about it being this level partnership without it passing into something else. It felt like the perfect balance where they nearly kiss, which is just as sort of exciting, but the fact that they don’t leaves you wanting more.”

By choosing to avoid the kiss, the story remains open for more adventures, which fans of natural phenomena should enjoy even if the scientific events and explanations on screen aren’t the most accurate.

Fact-Checking the Ending

While the romantic aspects of “Twisters” generated significant buzz, the film’s scientific clarifications also deserve attention.

The filmmakers took steps to ensure that the meteorological aspects of the story were grounded in reality, but they also pushed the boundaries of what’s currently possible in storm management.

Meteorologist, author, and podcaster Cyrena Arnold explained more about the movie’s natural elements to GQ Magazine. She noted that while the movie takes some creative liberties, it maintains a higher degree of accuracy than its predecessor.

“‘Twisters’ did a lot of things right, and did things really well. They had meteorologists working behind the scenes to help provide input,” Arnold explained.

However, she pointed out that the film’s central premise of “taming” tornadoes remains in the realm of science fiction. “We’re still working very hard on trying to figure out the best way to truly understand how tornadoes form and function,” she stated.

The idea of disrupting tornadoes using methods depicted in the film, while intriguing, is not currently a focus of real-world meteorological research.

Despite these creative liberties, the film’s attention to detail in other areas impressed Arnold. This balance between scientific plausibility and cinematic excitement contributes to the movie’s appeal.

Ultimately, producing films like this serves the sole purpose of giving the viewers a thrilling experience while maintaining some connection to real-world facts.

The cinematic choices, including the cut kiss scene and the more embellished “storm-taming” aspects, have all contributed to the film’s success at a hard time for cinema.

Remakes and sequels aren’t doing as well as they once did, and with streaming services, more people have decided not to go to theaters. Original stories are vital to change this trend.

Fresh and new ideas in both filmmaking and storytelling have to join together to create great experiences for audiences. Therefore, viewers shouldn’t feel empty about the ending, but glad because there could be more of these characters chasing tornadoes and developing their relationships.

What did you think of the ending? Were you as confused as other viewers? Should Powell and Edgar-Jones have kissed? It still could happen, so let’s wait — and pray — for a sequel!