The moment Tornado's trailer hits, you feel it—the clash of steel, the guttural growl of Tim Roth's Sugarman, and the quiet fury of Kōki's titular warrior. This isn't just another period piece. It's a samurai Western, a genre mashup so audacious it shouldn't work—yet here we are, bloodstained and breathless.
The Unexpected Twist: A Woman's Vengeance in a Man's World
Most revenge tales center on brooding male leads (John Wick, The Northman). But Tornado flips the script—literally. Kōki's Tornado isn't just fighting for survival; she's carving her name into a genre dominated by men. The trailer teases her transformation from performer to predator, wielding her father's samurai training like a scalpel.
“The action is superbly staged and the gory kills are cathartic after an intense build-up.” — First Showing
And let's talk about Jack Lowden. Fresh off Slow Horses, he's playing against type as Little Sugar—a “weak-willed man” with a venomous streak. If this trailer's any indication, we're about to see Lowden in a light that'll make River Cartwright look like a choirboy.
Deep Dive: The Samurai-Western Legacy
Tornado isn't the first to blend East and West. Red Sun (1971) paired samurai with cowboys, and The Warrior's Way (2010) went full fantasy. But director John Maclean (Slow West) isn't just stitching genres together—he's dissecting them.
“Maclean wears his influences—Kurosawa, John Ford, Sergio Leone—proudly on his sleeve.” — Screen International
The trailer's bleak landscapes and tight close-ups scream Leone, while Tornado's precision strikes echo Kurosawa. Yet, the film's secret weapon might be its absurdist humor—yes, even amid the bloodshed.
Why This Trailer Stands Out
- Kōki's Star-Making Turn – Her quiet intensity dominates every frame.
- Tim Roth, Unhinged – Sugarman oozes menace, proving Roth still owns villainy.
- A Director With Something to Prove – Maclean's been crafting this for a decade. The result? “A rip-roaring affair… far more than a straight revenge tale.” (The List)
Final Cut: Will Tornado Slice Through the Competition?
Early buzz says yes. But trailers can deceive. Will the film deliver, or is this just another stylish flick with more style than substance?
Come June 13, Tornado will leave a mark—hopefully not just on its victims.
