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Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Harrowing Netflix documentaries about real-life American tragedies you can watch now
Among the streamer's many powerful documentaries are three viewers say everyone should see Netflix's documentaries are always a hit with viewers, but picking the cream of the crop can be a tough task. A handful of fresh releases have already made their way into the streaming giant's library, including one show that's being touted as the 'best docu-series of 2025. ' We've put together a brief list of must-see documentaries, focusing on events that unfolded in America and subsequently shook the world. From catastrophic weather events to the passing of an LGBTQ+ legend, these shows are available for streaming now on Netflix. The Twister: Caught in the Storm Launched back in March, The Twister: Caught in the Storm delves into the horrific tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, in 2011. The storm descended upon Joplin on May 22 and claimed the lives of 158 people, making it one of the deadliest in American history, reports the Mirror US. Helmed by Alexandra Lacey, the documentary revisits this natural disaster, featuring first-hand accounts from weather forecasters and a group of survivors who found themselves at the heart of the storm. Even though the tragedy took place 14 years ago, this Netflix series provides viewers with a deeply immersive experience of the event. A Rotten Tomatoes reviewer described it as "immersive, thrilling and frightening," continuing: "This documentary very well shows the vulnerability of all us humans when confronted with the mighty force of nature." The Twister: Caught in the Storm is available for streaming now on Netflix Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer This three-part series has been praised by viewers as the 'best docu-series of 2025' just two months after its release on Netflix. It explores the hunt for an alleged serial killer, following a string of murders that took place over several years without being detected by law enforcement. In 2010 police began to suspect a killer was on the loose after 23-year-old escort Shannan Gilbert made a panicked 911 call claiming someone was pursuing her, only to vanish shortly after. An extensive search of the area led to the discovery of four victims, known as the Gilgo Beach Four, and sparked a thorough investigation. Shannan's remains were eventually found in December 2011. Directed by Liz Garbus, the documentary delves into the events leading up to the 2023 arrest of an architect, who is set to stand trial later this year charged with the murders of seven women. He maintains he is not guilty. Viewers have taken to Rotten Tomatoes, where the series boasts a rare 100% score, with one reviewer writing: "Netflix Delivers the Best Docu-Series of 2025. 'Gone Girls' does something unexpected with its empathetic approach to true crime as director Liz Garbus gives a voice to the voiceless [...]." Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer is now available to stream on Netflix The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson Marsha P. Johnson, a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, met a tragic end in July 1992. The transgender icon was part of the pioneering Gay Liberation Front, which started in New York during the tumultuous late '60s. Initially thought to have taken her own life, a new documentary delves into the persistent suspicions that she was actually murdered. The film's blurb states: "Filmmakers re-examine the 1992 death of transgender legend Marsha P. Johnson, who was found floating in the Hudson River. Originally ruled a suicide, many in the community believe she was murdered." Highlighting the significance of the documentary, an IMDb reviewer wrote: "I was originally going to say that this should be required viewing for young LGBTQ people, in order for them to have a better understanding of our history. "But correct that to say that EVERYONE should watch this in order to better understand a segment of our society that has been brutally mistreated since forever."
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
How many people died in the 2011 Joplin, Missouri tornado? Looking back at historic devastation
How many people died in the 2011 Joplin, Missouri tornado? Looking back at historic devastation Show Caption Hide Caption U.S. severe weather: Over 30 reported dead across the country Nearly three dozen people have reportedly died across the central and southern U.S. amid a massive storm that fueled violent tornadoes, high winds, dust storms and icy conditions. Fox - 26 Houston A deadly tornado that raged through Joplin, Missouri 14 years ago is once again in the spotlight after the release of a new Netflix documentary. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of the EF-5 tornado that swept through Joplin, a city of approximately 50,000 about 75 miles west of Springfield, in May 2011 through the lens of a group of young people whose high school graduation day was affected by the natural disaster. The film is directed by Alexandra Lacey, a UK-based filmmaker known for working on projects like "Tinder Swindler," "American Nightmare" and "Three Identical Strangers." "This catastrophic event ravaged Joplin, and yet its community overcame, rebuilt and became an enduring symbol of hope," the documentary's synopsis reads adding the film "features adrenaline-inducing real-life footage, filmed by people in Joplin, taking us into the eye of the storm." Here's what to know about one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the United States. 'Twister: Caught in the Storm': Netflix doc to feature 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri When and where was the Joplin, Missouri tornado? The Joplin tornado hit land in the early evening of May 22, 2011 which started as a typical spring Ozarks day in which severe weather was looming, Steve Runnels, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Springfield told USA TODAY on the tornado's 10-year anniversary. "We were predominantly looking at storms likely to produce very large hail," Runnels said. "Tornadoes were a possibility, but not one we were necessary keying in on." Late that afternoon, the NWS saw indication on the radar that debris had been thrown way up into the atmosphere − well above 10,000 feet, Runnels said. "That was the first time in my career up to that point that I had seen that (height)," he said. "We had seen it in other radars in other parts of the country, but it was the first time in southwest Missouri." The tornado touched down around 5:30 p.m. on Joplin's west side and moved east, destroying homes, businesses, and significantly damaging the city's medical center and Joplin High School over the course of approximately 48 minutes. Could it happen again? 100 years ago, USA's worst tornado killed nearly 700 people 'I saw complete devastation': 10-year anniversary of Joplin tornado How big was the 2011 Joplin tornado? What was its rating? The tornado's path on the ground was 22 miles long, with 13 miles of it cutting through Joplin's city limits, USA TODAY previously reported. At its peak, it was about three-fourths of a mile wide with winds hitting more than 200 mph. Runnels said the tornado, rated EF–5 on the Enhanced Fujita tornado intensity scale, was "moving anywhere from 15 to 30 miles per hour over a densely populated area." "To put that in context, it would have taken two minutes to pass over your house," he had said. How many people died in the 2011 Joplin tornado? The massive tornado killed 158 people, according to NOAA, and injured more than 1,000 people and displaced 9,200 after some 4,000 homes were damaged. While the National Weather Service's official count of "direct fatalities" was 158, there were additional indirect deaths that added up to or even beyond 162 deaths, Runnels explained. An NWS Central Region Service Assessment of the Joplin tornado found that the "majority of Joplin residents did not immediately take protective action upon receiving a first indication of risk (usually via the local siren system), regardless of the source of the warning," despite the region being prone to tornados. "Most first chose to further assess their risk by waiting for, actively seeking, and filtering additional information before taking protective actions," the report said, adding the reasons behind their actions were "quite varied, but largely depended on an individual's 'worldview' formed mostly by previous experience with severe weather." The report added that most Joplin residents did not take protective action until the threat was confirmed through either observing or hearing the tornado, "seeing or hearing confirmation, and urgency of the threat on radio or television, and/or hearing a second, non-routine siren alert." What is the biggest tornado ever recorded in the US? While the Joplin tornado was the deadliest tornado of 2011 and has become known as the deadliest tornado in Missouri history, it is ranked as the seventh deadliest tornado in U.S. history. The deadliest tornado, called the Tri-State Tornado, occurred a 100 years ago on March 18, 1925 and killed 695 people across the states of Missouri, Indiana and Illinois. However, the National Weather Service ranks the Joplin tornado as the deadliest since modern record-keeping began in 1950. Overall, 2011 was the fourth deadliest tornado year in U.S. history, according to NWS. The Joplin tornado was also the costliest tornado on record, with losses approaching $3 billion, a report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said. Tornado season is ramping up: Track severe weather with charts and maps Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY; Jackie Rehwald, Springfield News-Leader Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Express Tribune
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Netflix's ‘The Twister: Caught in the Storm' explores trauma and survival after the deadly 2011 Joplin Tornado
Netflix's latest documentary, The Twister: Caught in the Storm, brings harrowing firsthand accounts of survival from the 2011 Joplin tornado, one of the deadliest and most destructive storms in U.S. history. Directed by Alexandra Lacey (The Tinder Swindler), the documentary follows young survivors whose lives were forever changed by the EF5 tornado that killed 158 people and injured over 1,000. Lacey takes a unique approach, focusing on the coming-of-age experiences of those caught in the storm. 'Anybody can relate to the importance of graduation,' she explains, highlighting how the tornado struck Joplin High School's senior class on their big day. From students to storm chasers and paramedics, the film tells deeply personal stories of trauma, resilience, and survival. Among the documentary's gripping narratives is that of Steven Weersing, a high school dropout who was sucked out of his car and later developed a rare flesh-eating infection. Another survivor, Cecil, shares his experience of being a gay teen in the deeply religious Bible Belt, believing the tornado was divine punishment. Lacey describes his interview as 'one of the most emotional' she's ever conducted. With over 6,000 archive clips, security footage, and high-speed cinematography, The Twister immerses viewers in the chaos of the storm. Lacey and her team also underwent PTSD training to ensure a sensitive approach when interviewing survivors. Beyond the destruction, the documentary sheds light on the lasting psychological impact of natural disasters. 'Every time the wind gets stronger or sirens go off, it's really hard,' Lacey says, emphasising how Joplin's residents continue to live with the trauma. Streaming now on Netflix, The Twister: Caught in the Storm promises to captivate audiences while shedding light on the human cost of extreme weather events.
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Twister: Caught in the Storm brings Joplin tornado's devastation and survival stories to Netflix
Netflix's latest documentary, The Twister: Caught in the Storm, provides a harrowing look at the EF-5 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011. Directed by Alexandra Lacey, known for acclaimed projects such as Tinder Swindler and Three Identical Strangers, the film offers a gripping recounting of the disaster that claimed 161 lives and left over 1,000 injured. The documentary follows a group of young survivors whose high school graduation day turned into a nightmare. With wind speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, the tornado cut a destructive path through 13 miles of the city, leaving behind widespread devastation. The Twister features real-life footage captured by Joplin residents, immersing viewers in the storm's raw and terrifying power. According to the film's synopsis, 'This catastrophic event ravaged Joplin, yet its community overcame, rebuilt, and became an enduring symbol of hope.' The documentary highlights deeply personal accounts, including a high school football captain who aided in rescue efforts, a young employee who watched his workplace collapse, and storm chasers who barely escaped with their lives. The documentary's release coincides with recent deadly tornado outbreaks across the Midwest and South, adding to its timely significance. The Twister: Caught in the Storm will be available on Netflix starting March 19, 2025, at 2 a.m. CST. A Netflix subscription is required, with plans starting at $7.99 per month. Through firsthand testimonies and immersive footage, The Twister serves as both a chilling reminder of nature's power and a testament to human resilience in the face of disaster.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Twister: Caught in the Storm': Netflix doc to feature 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri
The tornado that raged through Joplin, Missouri 14 years ago is the subject of a new Netflix documentary. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of the EF-5 tornado that swept through Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011. The film focuses on a group of young people from the area whose high school graduation day was affected by the tornado. Ranked as the seventh deadliest tornado in U.S. history, the Joplin tornado killed 161 people and left another 1,000 injured. The tornado wrecked through 13 miles of the city, with wind speeds over 200 miles per hour. "This catastrophic event ravaged Joplin, and yet its community overcame, rebuilt and became an enduring symbol of hope. The film features adrenaline-inducing real-life footage, filmed by people in Joplin, taking us into the eye of the storm," the documentary's synopsis reads. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is directed by Alexandra Lacey, a UK-based filmmaker known for working on projects like "Tinder Swindler," "American Nightmare" and "Three Identical Strangers." She's also directed television series "The Fake Sheikh," "Welcome to Murdertown" and "Mansion: The Lost Tapes." The documentary's release happens to follow the mass destruction of several tornados that raged through the Midwest and South over the weekend. At least 37 people had been reported dead in Kansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama and Missouri, as of Monday morning. As the Netflix documentary's premiere date nears, here's what to know about "The Twister: Caught in the Storm." Netflix's new documentary, "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" will be available to watch on Netflix at 2 a.m. CST on Wednesday, March 19. Yes, viewers need a Netflix subscription to watch "The Twister: Caught in the Storm." Here is more information about Netflix's subscription plans: Standard with ads: $7.99 per month Standard without ads: $17.99 per month Premium: $24.99 per month Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Twister: Caught in the Storm': How to watch Netflix documentary
