A powerful new Netflix documentary is bringing one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history back into the spotlight. “The Twister: Caught in the Storm” tells the harrowing story of the massive EF-5 tornado that tore through Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011.
The film focuses on a group of young people whose high school graduation day turned into a nightmare as the twister ripped through their city. With winds topping 200 miles per hour, the storm carved a 13-mile path of destruction, claiming 161 lives and injuring over 1,000 people. It remains the seventh deadliest tornado in the country’s history.
According to Netflix, the documentary features heart-pounding real-life footage captured by Joplin residents, giving viewers an up-close look at the sheer force of the storm and the devastation it left behind. But more than just destruction, the film highlights the resilience of a community that refused to be defeated, showing how Joplin rebuilt and became a symbol of hope.
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The project is directed by Alexandra Lacey, a filmmaker known for gripping documentaries like “Tinder Swindler,” “American Nightmare,” and “Three Identical Strangers.” She’s also worked on true-crime series like “The Fake Sheikh” and “Welcome to Murdertown.”
The film’s release comes at a time when tornadoes are once again making headlines. Over the weekend, multiple twisters tore through parts of the Midwest and South, leaving a trail of devastation in states like Kansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama, and Missouri. At least 37 people lost their lives in the storms.
With its mix of real footage and powerful storytelling, “The Twister: Caught in the Storm” promises to be an intense, emotional, and unforgettable watch.
