You’ve probably seen the guy everywhere by now. He’s the one with the megawatt grin, the effortless Texas drawl, and that weirdly specific ability to look cool while being absolutely pelted by rain in a white T-shirt. If you’re asking who plays Tyler in Twisters, the answer is Glen Powell.
But honestly, just saying his name doesn't really cover it.
Powell isn't just "the actor" in this movie; he’s basically the engine behind its massive 2024 success. In Twisters, he plays Tyler Owens, a self-proclaimed "Tornado Wrangler" and social media superstar who rolls around the Oklahoma plains in a souped-up RAM truck equipped with drills to anchor it into the ground. It’s a role that could have been incredibly annoying in the wrong hands. Think about it: a loudmouthed YouTuber chasing literal death for clicks? Usually, that’s the guy you want the monster—or in this case, the F5 tornado—to eat first.
But Powell makes you love him.
The Man Behind the "Tornado Wrangler"
Glen Powell didn't just fall out of a sky-chasing truck and onto our screens. He's been grinding in Hollywood for over twenty years. He started as "Long-Fingered Boy" in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over back in 2003. Yeah, really. He’s also the guy who gets his head smashed by Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.
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If you feel like he suddenly became the biggest star on the planet, you're not wrong, but it was a slow burn. The real shift happened with Top Gun: Maverick, where he played the arrogant-but-lovable Hangman. After that, he hit a literal hot streak: the rom-com Anyone But You with Sydney Sweeney, the critically acclaimed Hit Man (which he also co-wrote), and then the massive summer blockbuster Twisters.
Why Glen Powell was perfect for Tyler Owens
Director Lee Isaac Chung actually wanted Glen for the part after seeing him on a morning talk show with his parents. He saw a "layer of heart" that wasn't just the cocky movie star persona.
It turns out, Powell’s connection to the role is deeper than just acting. When he was about eight years old, he lived through a terrifying F5 tornado in Jarrell, Texas. He was out with his aunt and cousins when they had to take shelter. That story Tyler tells Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones) in the movie about his aunt and the tornado? That’s not just a scriptwriter's invention. It’s Glen’s actual life.
"I remember looking at my aunt for guidance on how to feel," Powell has said in interviews, reflecting on that 1997 storm that tragically killed 27 people.
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He brought that real-world fear and respect for nature to a character that, on paper, looks like a total adrenaline junkie.
Who is Tyler Owens exactly?
In the world of Twisters, Tyler Owens is the foil to Kate Carter’s more academic, traumatized approach to meteorology. He leads a "traveling circus" of chasers, including a high-energy videographer played by Brandon Perea and a crew that looks like they belong at a tailgate party rather than a disaster site.
He sells merchandise. He screams "If you can feel it, chase it!" to thousands of livestream viewers.
But the movie pulls a classic bait-and-switch. You think he’s the antagonist, the "corporate" or "selfish" chaser compared to Anthony Ramos’s Javi. In reality, Tyler is the one using his YouTube money to buy food and supplies for the towns leveled by the storms. He’s a meteorologist who actually knows his stuff, choosing to "wrangle" tornadoes because he understands their power better than anyone.
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The Reed Timmer Connection
If Tyler Owens feels like a real person, it’s because he’s partially modeled after real-life extreme storm chaser Reed Timmer. If you’ve ever seen Timmer’s videos, you know the vibe: screaming, intense passion, and vehicles that look like tanks (the "Dominator").
Powell leaned into that "rockstar chaser" energy. He even adopted a dog, Brisket, while filming, who has since become a mini-celebrity in his own right.
What’s next for the Twisters star?
Now that you know who plays Tyler in Twisters, you’re probably going to see him in everything else. As of 2026, his trajectory is basically vertical. He’s moved back to his hometown of Austin, Texas, because he wanted to get away from the Hollywood bubble, but the work hasn't stopped.
- The Running Man: He’s taking the lead in Edgar Wright’s remake of the Stephen King classic.
- Chad Powers: A comedy series he co-created about a struggling quarterback who goes undercover.
- High-Stakes Pilots: Because Tom Cruise paid for his flight school during Top Gun, Glen is now a licensed pilot in real life.
He’s basically the new Matthew McConaughey—the guy who can do a serious drama, a goofy comedy, and a massive action flick without breaking a sweat.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Watch the original: If you liked Glen’s performance, go back and watch the 1996 Twister. He actually worked with the late Bill Paxton on a Western called Red Wing and used Paxton's advice to help ground the character of Tyler.
- Check out 'Hit Man': If you want to see his range beyond the "cowboy" persona, Hit Man on Netflix shows off his ability to play a dozen different characters in one movie.
- Follow Brisket: Seriously, the dog has an Instagram. It’s the wholesome content we all need.
Glen Powell isn't just a placeholder for a leading man; he’s a guy who actually cares about the "movie-going experience." In an era of CGI and green screens, his insistence on practical stunts and real Texas grit is why Twisters felt so refreshing.