TORNADO
An uplifting journey of healing through brokenness, faith, and creation.
Should You Watch It?
Tornado offers a refreshingly different story about two wounded lives: Pierre, a young man battling depression after arthritis ends his running career, and Tornado, an emotionally tormented horse. Their healing journey is set against the wilderness of the Kalahari and celebrates God’s Creation and healing Hand.
The film’s Christian themes are present without an explicit Gospel presentation. It focuses on the Bible and the cross in places, while its sensitive treatment of the horse and its story of self-discovery give animal lovers particular reason to watch.
The film includes light, mostly implied violence, some upper male nudity, and alcohol consumption in a bar scene. For older children through adults, Tornado is worth seeing, especially if your family appreciates true-life stories about healing, faith, and compassion.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESPierre van Rooyen grows up on a farm and excels at long-distance running until rheumatoid arthritis ends his athletic career and leaves him battling depression. At university, he moves from Agricultural studies to Theology and then to Equine studies.
There he meets Tornado, a young Arab stallion with self-mutilation syndrome. Pierre identifies with the tormented horse and includes Tornado’s emotional therapy in his studies. When he hears about a Christian horse whisperer and eccentric missionary in the Kalahari, Pierre travels into the desert seeking help.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a strong, worthwhile film with notable artistic strengths. The cinematography and direction are excellent, and the remote Kalahari wilderness gives the true-life story an insightful and sensitive setting.
The logistical challenges of filming in such a remote location must have been considerable. Several key riding scenes feature the actual people on whom the story is based doubling for the actors. Lean van den Bergh also makes a very talented screen debut.
The result is a refreshingly different drama, particularly rewarding for animal lovers and viewers drawn to stories of healing.
The Worldview
Tornado presents brokenness as something shared by people and animals. Pierre is depressed and emotionally wounded after losing his running career, while Tornado suffers from self-mutilation syndrome. Their connection points toward healing through patience, understanding, and compassionate care.
The film’s worldview is strongly Christian. It focuses on the Bible and the cross in places, includes prayers answered, and prominently celebrates God’s Creation and healing Hand. The Gospel is not explicitly presented, but the film’s moral elements and Christian horse whisperer give its story a clear faith-centered direction.
The movie’s central vision of healing aligns with the biblical truth that God cares for the brokenhearted: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very Christian worldview with very strong moral elements, including prayers answered; no foul language; light, mostly implied violence includes man cuts wrists (not seen), hits mirror (not seen), hits wall, and some injuries depicted on horse from self-mutilation syndrome; no sex; some upper male nudity when male athletes wear towels around waste in locker room; some alcohol consumption in a bar scene; no smoking or drugs; and, nothing else objectionable.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Pierre’s loss of his running career leads him into depression. How can we respond when suffering changes the future we expected?
Psalm 34:18 · Romans 8:28Pierre identifies with Tornado’s brokenness and seeks to help him. What does compassion look like when someone cannot easily explain their pain?
Colossians 3:12 · Galatians 6:2The film celebrates God’s Creation and healing Hand. Where do you notice God’s care in the natural world, and how should that shape the way we treat it?
Psalm 19:1 · Genesis 2:15The film focuses on the Bible and the cross in places without explicitly presenting the Gospel. What does the cross show us about God’s response to human brokenness?
Isaiah 53:5 · 1 Peter 2:24The Final Word
Tornado is a sensitive, visually excellent story of healing and self-discovery. Its Christian themes, beautiful wilderness setting, and compassionate treatment of a tormented horse make it especially appealing for animal lovers. For older children through adults, the answer is clear: WORTH THE TRIP.
