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Action thriller

Tornado (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Tornado (2025) movie poster

Tornado is a 2025 action thriller directed by John Maclean, starring Kôki as Tornado, Tim Roth and Jack Lowden. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $449,965 worldwide. Critics gave it 66% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
66%
worldwide gross
$450K
Echo Score
54
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Tornado (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
John Maclean
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Tornado About?

The premise of Tornado without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1790s Britain, a young Japanese woman and her father’s travelling puppet show find themselves in danger when they encounter a gang of ruthless criminals. Led by Sugarman and his ambitious son, Little Sugar, the gang poses a perilous threat as the puppet show attempts to establish a new life.

Tornado Themes & Keywords

· 8 tags
  • girl
  • son
  • samurai
  • japan
  • survival thriller
  • colonisation
  • samurai action
  • period drama
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Cast & crew

Tornado Cast & Characters

Kôki leads the cast as Tornado, with Tim Roth as Sugarman and Jack Lowden as Little Sugar. Directed by John Maclean; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Tornado

· 13 more
From the director

More from John Maclean

More films directed by John Maclean, best-rated first: Slow West, Pitch Black Heist and Man on a Motorcycle.

Full filmography
Ratings

Tornado Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Tornado 66% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 54/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

54 /100

Tornado Echo Score Breakdown

Tornado delivers a visually striking revenge thriller hindered by uneven narrative momentum and underdeveloped characters. While the film offers compelling genre set pieces and a climactic finale that satisfies its premise, intermittent pacing lags and structural gaps limit engagement. The score and cinematography provide consistent atmospheric impact, but emotional connection seldom registers due to thinly sketched roles. Overall, Tornado presents a mixed experience that rewards patient viewers with strong sensory moments yet remains elusive in cohesion.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, Tornado excels in visual composition but falters in editing cohesion. Haunting cinematography and stark production design establish a compelling atmosphere, yet irregular cutting and occasional static staging disrupt flow. The directional choices enhance mood but lack fluid transitions. Overall, the film’s craft is arresting at moments but remains uneven in execution.

  • Character & Emotion 40

    When it comes to character and emotion, Tornado struggles with thinly drawn figures and limited resonance. Performances deliver occasional intensity, but psychological depth is largely absent and relational chemistry feels underdeveloped. Despite standout moments of conviction, characters seldom transcend their archetypal roles. Overall, emotional engagement remains fleeting and undercut by superficial portrayal.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, Tornado presents a familiar revenge structure undermined by inconsistent pacing and narrative gaps. Early momentum stalls in protracted scenes, while the late-stage confrontation offers a more cohesive payoff. Originality surfaces in genre blending, but tonal shifts create a disjointed progression. Overall, the plot feels fragmented despite moments of clarity.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When considering sensory experience, Tornado delivers a powerful musical score and atmospheric sound design that heighten tension. The darkly lit visual palette and stylized audio cues establish an immersive mood, while occasional silence underscores dramatic beats. Audiovisual cohesion tightens during key sequences, reinforcing emotional tone. Overall, the film’s sensory elements stand out as its most consistent asset.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch factor, Tornado offers striking visuals and a compelling finale but limited narrative depth reduces its lasting appeal. The atmospheric score and mood might reward repeat viewings, yet the film’s uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters discourage multiple engagements. Occasional thematic discoveries emerge, but overall replay value remains modest and selective.

Plot

Tornado Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Tornado from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Tornado is a gripping tale that follows a young woman named Tornado as she flees from a dangerous gang of highwaymen led by the ruthless Sugarman. The story kicks off with Tornado desperately seeking refuge in a secluded mansion. As she hides, the gang storm the premises, threatening the family that resides there while desperately searching for her. Tornado finds a hiding spot in an upstairs room, but it’s a precarious situation; the floorboards beneath her are rotting. Chaos ensues when one of Sugarman’s gang members accidentally falls through the fragile flooring, allowing Tornado the precious chance to escape into the nearby wilderness.

Full summary

The whole story of Tornado, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Tornado Box Office

Tornado grossed $449,965 worldwide. $213,795 came from the US and Canada and $236,170 (52%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$450K

US & Canada
$213.8K
International
$236.2K
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Videos

Tornado Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 1 clip, 3 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 9 videos
Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser this film can't come soon enough
  • Teaser you won't be forgetting Kōki's name
  • Clip Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Tornado?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the protagonist who flees from highwaymen?

Details

Tornado Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “トルネード” and “토네이도”.

Also known as
  • トルネード
  • 토네이도
  • Торнадо
  • Kasırga
  • إعصار
  • 龙卷风
  • 龍捲風
  • Cơn Lốc Hận Thù

Seen Tornado?

FAQ

Tornado FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Tornado, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Tornado?

Tornado runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Tornado released?

Tornado was released on May 30, 2025.

Who directed Tornado?

Tornado was directed by John Maclean.

More films by John Maclean

Who is in the cast of Tornado?

Tornado stars Kôki as Tornado, Tim Roth as Sugarman and Jack Lowden as Little Sugar, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Tornado make at the box office?

Tornado grossed $449,965 worldwide ($213,795 domestic, $236,170 international).

How is Tornado rated?

Tornado has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 66% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Tornado have a post-credit scene?

No. Tornado has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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