Team Edward or Team Jacob? Is this really the most important question of our generation?

Twilight is a film directed by Catherine Hardwicke, which stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. It tells the story of Bella Swan (Stewart), a young girl who falls in love with Edward Cullen (Pattinson), a 108-year-old vampire, after she moves into a small town in Washington known as Forks. 

The Twilight Saga is currently the most popular vampire series in history, after the films have grossed over $3.4 billion worldwide, and the books have sold over 160 million copies in 49 different languages. The films are currently available on YouTube and Amazon Prime, if you have a subscription. 

However, the question remains: why is the Twilight Saga so beloved? We all have to acknowledge that the acting in these films is mediocre, the storyline is incredibly cliched, and everything moves along extremely quickly. 

So why have these movies become such a cultural touchstone?

The writing of Twilight contributes to its huge popularity. A typical, average-looking girl falls in love with the world’s most attractive man, who seems to own the world? What girl wouldn’t want something like that in her life? 

It was envisioned that Edward would represent a flawless and respectable man and that their love would be broad, sensual, and pure all at once. The foundation of the plot is what draws people in so much, despite the awful, obvious writing, abusive relationships, and cardboard cutout characters. 

These movies are a getaway from the routine of everyday life, where nothing extraordinary occurs. Because Bella’s character lacks individuality, as Twilight author Stephenie Meyer intended, she can be any girl, making it easier for fans to see themselves as Bella and really dive deeper into the story. 

Most people don’t even watch the rest of the movies after watching the first one, usually because the first movie in any series is the most iconic. That holds true with the Twilight Saga, as there is no need to watch the rest of the movies, as the first one is enough to get the idea of what’s going on. Frankly, the rest of the movies ruin the series, and if you just watch the first one and leave it there, you will have a much better opinion of Twilight as a whole. 

Not only that, but because the first Twilight film is a great starter, it got many people hooked. That’s how the series took off and gained so much popularity. 

I would honestly recommend Twilight to everyone, not because it’s such a beautifully written story, but because it’s so iconic. Whether you think it’s cringey or not, everyone deserves to experience watching it at least once. It’s truly something that makes you want to pass out from secondhand embarrassment, but at the same time you can’t stop watching. 

Robert Pattinson is a very well-known actor, who’s starred in many famous movies that we all enjoy watching to this day.  He is almost perfect for the role of Edward Cullen. 

On the other hand, Kristen Stewart’s acting is a whole other problem. Almost every fan complains that her acting is not convincing whatsoever. Many people make a joke out of her expressions, because she only makes the same three faces throughout the entire movie. 

While Stewart looks perfect as Bella, her acting definitely could’ve used more work. To this day, every time I rewatch Twilight, I think about how perfect and so much less cringey it could’ve been if she had just had more talent as an actor. But to be fair to Stewart, we can see the progress that she has made in her career since these movies were released.

There were so many different aspects of the film that have caused the Twilight fans to go wild with their imagination. Not to mention the atmosphere of the film, which is also very aesthetically pleasing to the teenage-girl audience. The look of the movie, along with the romance and the cheesiness of the story, all make you embarrassed, but you also wish for something like that in your own life.  

Knowing that vampires don’t exist, and that nothing like this could happen in real life, are all the reasons that make everyone so in love with Twilight. No matter how cliche the writing is, it’s something people will want to experience and watch at least once, just so they can have that feeling.

Twilight is definitely a movie that all people should watch. I don’t expect everyone to love it and obsess over it, but it’s at least something you can laugh at and enjoy with friends.

This first film is a gem that is too iconic to miss. Love it or hate it, you’ve still probably seen it. And if you haven’t yet, go watch it right now, because I guarantee that, as bad as people might say it is, it’s something you won’t find in any other movie. 

Just don’t bother watching the other four movies.

And if you love Twilight you should go check out The Vampire Diaries series, which is streaming now on Peacock.