Night of the Twisters

Night of the Twisters

Year: 1996

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Timothy Bond

DramaTV MovieActionUnderdogs and coming of ageEmotional and touching family dramas

Based on Irv Ruckman's 1984 novel, the film follows a teenage boy living on a Nebraska farm who, as a series of violent tornadoes ravage the Blainsworth area, learns to trust and connect with his stepfather, confronting both the destructive storms and his own path to adulthood.

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Timeline & Setting – Night of the Twisters (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Night of the Twisters (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Fall 1996

The story unfolds on a Fall afternoon in 1996, capturing a pre-digital era in rural America. Weather technology and communications reflect the period, with a focus on live meteorology and local broadcasts. The timeframe provides a backdrop for character relationships to develop under stress.

Location

Blainsworth, Central Nebraska

Blainsworth is a small rural town in central Nebraska, depicted as a tight-knit community with limited resources. The fall festival and local diners anchor everyday life just before the storm hits. The tornado's arrival upends familiar routines and exposes how people rally together to protect family and neighbors.

🗺️ Rural town 🌪️ Tornado 🎡 Fall festival town life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:56

Main Characters – Night of the Twisters (1996)

Meet the key characters of Night of the Twisters (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dan Hatch (Devon Sawa)

Dan, a teenage artist under pressure to become an athlete, struggles with his stepfather Jack's expectations. The tornado test pushes him to take decisive action, protect his family, and value life and relationships over winning. He grows from a conflicted teen into someone who earns his father figure's pride.

🧑‍🎓 Teen 🧭 Artist 🧰 Resourceful

Stacey Darlington (Stacy) (Laura Bertram)

Stacey is a witty, empathetic teen who becomes a stabilizing presence for Danny. She helps him see that there can be common ground between effort and emotion, especially during and after the storm. Her resilience and kindness influence Danny's outlook on life and relationships.

👧 Teen 💞 Supportive 🧭 Connector

Arthur Darlington (Amos Crawley)

Arthur is Arthur Darlington's younger sibling and Danny's friend. He accompanies the group, aiding in the search for family and safety, and shows courage under pressure. He represents loyalty and the sense of camaraderie among friends in crisis.

🧒 Friend 🛡️ Loyal 🌀 Courage

Jack Hatch (John Schneider)

Jack is Danny's stepfather, a former football star who runs a struggling sporting goods store. His initial push for athletic success gives way to a more supportive role as he grows to respect Danny's strengths and his own role as a caregiver.

🏈 Stepparent 🛠️ Family head 🧭 Mentor

Laura Hatch (Lori Hallier)

Laura is Danny's mother, a hardworking waitress juggling family responsibilities. Her rapid decisions during the disaster—keeping everyone safe and connected—highlight her resilience and commitment to her children.

👩‍👧‍👦 Mother 🛡️ Protector 🗂️ Family anchor

Belle Hatch (Grandma Belle Hatch) (Helen Hughes)

Belle is the family matriarch whose strength and vulnerability come into focus after the tornado. Her presence grounds the family and her survival during the storm provides a beacon of hope, though she passes away soon after.

👵 Grandparent 🕊️ Resilient 🏡 Anchor

Bob Iverson (David Ferry)

Bob is a storm chaser from the Kansas State Tornado Center who relays critical information to the National Weather Service. His professional focus intersects with personal connections as he interacts with Laura and others during the crisis.

🧭 Meteorologist 🛰️ Information 🧑‍🚒 Helper

Ryan Hatch (Thomas Lastewka)

Ryan is Danny's younger brother, navigating the chaos of his family under the storm's pressure. His presence adds emotional depth and a sense of innocence to the family's struggle and recovery.

👶 Sibling 🧒 Innocence 💪 Resilience

Ronnie Vae (Megan Kitchen)

Ronnie Vae is Arthur's sister who survives the tornado and becomes part of the post-storm dynamics among friends and families as they rebuild.

🧒 Preteen 🏃‍♀️ Survivor 👫 Friend

Sarah (Sumela Kay)

Sarah is a member of the community whose presence underscores the broader network of neighbors pulled into the crisis. Her role highlights how a small town relies on many ordinary people in emergency situations.

🧒 Neighbor 🕊️ Community 🗺️ Support

Genny (Jhene Erwin)

Genny is part of the younger set in the town, contributing to the sense of a close-knit community affected by the disaster and the ongoing efforts to help each other afterward.

🧒 Child 🫶 Community

Dave (Eric Coates)

Dave is a character within the town’s social circle who appears in the aftermath of the tornado, symbolizing everyday life continuing in the wake of disaster.

🧑 Neighbor 🛠️ Everyday Life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:56

Major Themes – Night of the Twisters (1996)

Explore the central themes of Night of the Twisters (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Family

Family bonds are tested and redefined when disaster strikes. Danny's relationship with his mother Laura and his stepfather Jack evolves from tension to mutual pride. The crisis brings the family together, highlighting devotion, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of catastrophe.

🌪️ Disaster

A devastating tornado centers the narrative, showing the raw force of nature and its impact on a small town. The storm disrupts homes, finances, and plans, forcing quick thinking, courage, and cooperation. Characters improvise, risk their lives, and emerge with a renewed sense of community.

🌱 Growth

The disaster acts as a catalyst for personal growth and shifting dynamics. Danny learns to balance ambition with empathy, while Jack shifts from strict disciplinarian to supportive mentor. Relationships with friends and neighbors evolve, hinting at longer-term changes in the town's social fabric.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:56

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Night of the Twisters Summary

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Night of the Twisters Summary

Night of the Twisters Timeline

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Night of the Twisters Timeline

Night of the Twisters Spoiler-Free Summary

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Night of the Twisters Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Night of the Twisters

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