Netflix's latest documentary, The Twister: Caught in the Storm, offers a harrowing exploration of the EF-5 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011. With its release on March 19, 2025, the film is directed by Alexandra Lacey, acclaimed for projects like Tinder Swindler and Three Identical Strangers. The documentary brings viewers into the devastating heart of a storm that claimed 161 lives and left over 1,000 injured.
On what was supposed to be a joyous high school graduation day, unsuspecting students faced unimaginable horror as a monstrous tornado with wind speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour tore through Joplin. This EF-5 tornado traveled a staggering 13 miles through the city, causing destruction to nearly 8,000 buildings and resulting in an estimated $2.8 billion in damages.
Through real-life footage taken by Joplin residents and firsthand accounts, The Twister captures the raw and terrifying power of nature. The film sheds light on a group of young survivors from the Joplin High School class of 2011. These individuals share their personal stories of resilience, bonding over their shared trauma.
Among those featured is Sarah Sticklen, who recalls her experience on graduation day. "Being part of a traumatic situation with so many other people, maybe it reinforces that sense of community. I've always felt that if I wanted to go home, home would always be there." Sticklen reflects on the emotional scars that linger long after the tornado. She vividly remembers a routine day that morphed into a tragedy, as clouds rolled in and the familiar sounds of celebration transformed into sirens and chaos. Sadly, she lost her best friend, William Norton, whose body was found days later.
Another subject, Keegan Tinney, emphasizes that the tornado profoundly shaped not just his life but the lives of everyone in Joplin. "I will say that if you're from Joplin, it's kind of like a belly button. Everyone has one. I'm no different than anybody there that night," he explains. Tinney and his family immediately began helping others after the tornado struck, demonstrating the strong sense of community that the disaster forged.
Viewing the documentary feels especially timely as recent deadly tornado outbreaks across the Midwest remind viewers of nature's relentless power. Production for the documentary began in 2023, with Lacey and her crew visiting Joplin several times to capture the close-knit nature of the community. As she stated, "We hope that watching this film, people will think about if they were teenagers going through that moment. How could that have shaped or shifted them?"
In the wake of the tornado, Joplin gained national attention. President Barack Obama visited the city just a week after the disaster, reinforcing the nation's commitment to support the rebuilding efforts. One year later, he returned to deliver a commencement speech at Joplin High School, emphasizing hope and healing.
The documentary also reveals how recovery initiatives like those undertaken by the Learning Channel's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which renovated houses for tornado victims in January 2012, helped bolster the community's spirits. Joplin’s then-principal, Kerry Sachetta, reflected on the day, stating, "No one's ever going to prepare you as a leader for things like that. It helps prepare you to know that you take it one day at a time, and you can get through it because you've done hard things before."
Much of the documentary's emotional impact derives from the voices of survivors recounting the torment faced during the tornado. The young cast brings unique perspectives, representing the shared experience of trauma, loss, and ultimately, resilience. Their narratives highlight the human capacity to overcome adversity while underscoring the indiscriminate wrath of nature.
As the documentary unfolds, it illustrates moments of harrowing despair juxtaposed with acts of bravery and kindness amidst the wreckage. Emotional testimonies reveal the lingering effects of survivor's guilt and trauma. Sticklen encapsulates this emotion, stating, "The survivor's guilt is very real. And a lot of us feel that. And I think that's kind of a terrible way to be connected to somebody."
Decades later, survivors from that fateful day have woven together their memories into the fabric of Joplin's identity. The documentary seeks not only to remind viewers of the power of nature but also of the resilience of the human spirit. With a blend of firsthand accounts and powerful imagery, The Twister serves as a testament to the endurance of a community transformed by tragedy, forever affected by a day that began with celebration but ended in devastation.
Viewers can stream The Twister: Caught in the Storm on Netflix starting March 19, 2025, and witness the profound stories stemming from that catastrophic event, ensuring that the memories of those impacted are not forgotten.
