In Twilight, the young adult fantasy series written by Stephenie Meyer and later turned into a blockbuster film franchise starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, the main charactera tortured, mysterious vampire named Edward Cullenwas transformed into a monster while suffering from Spanish Influenza in 1918. So begins the saga of Edward (played by Pattinson).
Ever since the first film came out in 2008, Twilight has been a success, raking in $3.3 billion at the box office and selling 120 million copies. In 2020, as another devastating pandemic relegates many of us congealed to our couches, the fictional Edward Cullen has enjoyed something of a revival.
There is something about this year, specifically, that makes people want to nuzzle into a throw blanket and binge 10 or so hours of this teenage love story. (It doesnt hurt that Hulu added all five films in the saga to its oeuvre in September.) On TikTok, the Twilight hashtag has over 3.5 billion views, and accounts like @TwilightFaves and @_Twilight_2008 share behind-the-scenes clips and fan art.
Katie Jozwicki, a 22-year-old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has watched Twilight three times in December and like 10 times since moving in with her roommate during the pandemic. I decided to do this partly to pass the time, but partly because despite any of its (many) shortcomings, it has always been one of my favorite comfort movies, Jozwicki told The Daily Beast. As an adult I can laugh at how shitty the movies are while still really enjoying them. And I can drink wine.
Jozwicki has been a superfan from the beginning, ever since she was 10 years old and read the entire series before she saw the first film when it came out. To put it plainly, I fucking loved all of it, she said. My childhood best friend and I would write little name tags for ourselves that said, Mrs. Katie Cullen.
Former Twihards, as the preteen subculture was dismissively dubbed by the series numerous detractors, do not miss their awkward days of camping out at midnight to see the film. They have gained enough distance from their fandom to recognize Twilights sticky gender politics, its female ingenues complete lack of agency, and how it muddles the line between love and codependency. Nearly everyone I spoke to who had rewatched it this year repeated the same word: Cringe.
Twilight is like your favorite comfort food: it may not be good for you, but it feels good, Eilish B., a 27 year-old PhD researcher living in Northern Ireland, told me. (She asked that her last name not be used.)
I find something new in the Twilight films every time I watch them, but my new favorite observation is that Edward hardly smiles at Bella at all, Eilish added. Whats up with that? Theyre supposed to be in love, but you can barely tell that they like each other. When I was young, I thought the actors solemnity made the film seem romantic, but now its just embarrassing.
The storyline is so surreal that it really allows you to completely escape from reality, which I think a lot of us needed this year.
Eilish B.
Eilish was 15 when the first movie came out; she attended all the midnight releases, and named her cat Jasper after Edward Cullens fictional brother vampire. She met Stephenie Meyer during a book tour for Eclipse, while wearing a shirt that read, Only a Vampire Can Love You Forever.
I loved anything that could pull me away from my ordinary suburban teen life, she said. The storyline is so surreal that it really allows you to completely escape from reality, which I think a lot of us needed this year.
Nyssa Shaw-Smith Gendelman, a 26-year-old video game writer, recently showed Twilight to her partner for the first time. Every time I revisit that movie Im surprised by the layers of badness, she said. Its like a baklava made of barely-repressed preteen fantasies and hair gel.
Of course, for others, thats a part of the draw. Christine, a 28-year-old bartender from Baltimore, Maryland, was too cool for Twilight when it first came out. I was 16, which made it doomed from the start because thats prime hate everything that is popular age, she said. It didnt help that it was dumb as hell and the characters are awful. Maybe at 16, I had better standards than I do now.
Christine began watching the Twilight series during her holiday break, devouring all five films in two days.
I expected to throw it on and do other things while it played in the background, but I found it hard to look away, she explained. Every character is so over-the-top insane. It was riveting, if nothing else. Its nice to watch something basically mindless and easy to digest while the real world is upside down.
Amanda, a 23-year-old Swedish college student studying Childrens Culture, runs @TwilightRenaissance, an Instagram page dedicated to curating memes about the series. It currently has over 27,000 followers and was popular before the coronavirus, but the page has more than doubled in size since the start of the pandemic.
From the ages of 12 to 15, I thought the series was absolutely perfect, Amanda told The Daily Beast in a DM. The love story, the thrilling contrast between the wolves and the vampires, just everything about it.
Later in her teens, Amanda became more aware of how toxic the series was. Edwards controlling and manipulative behavior towards Bella has been the subject of countless critical analyses, and at the peak of the series, feminists feared the film romanticized intimate partner abuse.
As vampire logic goes, a human like Bella cannot have sex with a vampire like Edward, or else she diessomething many viewers took as a not-so-subtle abstinence plug. The first films director, Catherine Hardwicke, told my former colleague Amy Zimmerman that she wanted a lot more of the cast to be diverse. Meyer, the author, objected.
I was like, oh my God, I want the vampires, I want them allAlice, I wanted her to be Japanese! I had all these ideas, Harwicke said in a 2019 interview. And she just could not accept the Cullens to be more diverse.
Jacob Black, the buff and often shirtless third member of the Bella/Edward/Jacob love triangle played by Taylor Lautner, is Quileute. Though the book may be fantasy, the Indigenous people are very real, and have lived in western Washington state for thousands of years. The Twilight industry complexbus tours, charm bracelets, graphic shirtshas been guilty of appropriating Quileute culture on many occasions.
Thats why Amanda tried to distance [herself] from the series. I realized that it was OK to be a fan of something problematic, as long as you acknowledge its flaws, she said. I used to think that the only way to be a proper fan was to defend it to the end. I dont see it that way anymore, and the @twilightrenaissance account reflects that mindset.
The Instagram page has many story highlights that include infographics tackling social justice issues such as abuse, racism, mental health, and rape culture.
Ariel McRae stood in line for almost 12 hours in the cold to buy a ticket to the midnight premiere of Twilight when she was 14. Some of my best memories were in those lines, McRae, now 26 and living in Tennessee, said. Watching [the movies now] is like being embraced in a hug. It holds memories of what life was like before adulthood.
In 2020, including all five of the movies, Id say Ive watched them at least 25 times this year. Is that bad?
Wolfgang Ruth
McRae has a young son, so she watches the series with a mothers perspective. One of the biggest things I notice now, as a parent myself, is Bellas relationship to her father as well as Edwards relationship with his parents, she said. She used to be obsessed with the films love triangle. Now, she loves the last movie, where Bella has a daughter. (That creepy CGI baby, if you recall.)
Im in awe of how strong she was and I dont think that she is given enough credit for the sacrifice she went through to bring her daughter into the world, McRae said. An unmedicated c-section? Truly a queen.
Wolfgang Ruth is an associate producer of social media at New York magazine, a good friend of mine, and prolific Twilight live-tweeter. In 2020, including all five of the movies, Id say Ive watched them at least 25 times this year, he said. Is that bad?
Ruth chalks this up to the fact that its always on TV! Literally, Twilight is always, always on! Its become a go-to talking point on his dating apps. I talk to guys that message me on Hinge and say, when you have long and/or busy days, and all you want to do at the end of the day is not think, movies like this are so good to just put on, enjoy, and fall asleep to, he added.
Ruths mom brought him to see the first Twilight in theaters when he was 11. The film offers you two options of romance, Ruth said. Everyone who watched was asking their friends, Are you Team Edward or Jacob? I wasnt out, but I internally knew I was gay. So it was a fun mental note I could make to myself: was I Team Edward or Jacob? In that way, it allowed me to participate in a middle school conversation that presented my queer identity, even though no one else knew that it did.
For the record: hes Team Jacob. When Taylor Lautners character becomes a full werewolf zaddy, I had my sexual awakening, Ruth said. Kidding, but like, Im not kidding.
Continue reading here:
Why Everyone's Watching 'Twilight' During the Pandemic - The Daily Beast
- Is This a Real Photo of Vampire Queen 'Madam Violet,' Voted UK's Scariest Woman Alive in the 1880s? - Snopes.com - March 16th, 2024
- The erotic 70s horror where lechy men turn into bloody-hungry vampires - Dazed - March 16th, 2024
- The vampires ball is coming to an end - Meduza - March 16th, 2024
- Oregon son, 56, who is accused of killing his mom by shoving a huge makeshift stake through her throat claims - Daily Mail - March 16th, 2024
- Muni Bond Games and the IRS' Lurking Arbitrage Vampires - Governing - March 16th, 2024
- Ball of vampires', nuke warning: Key takeaways from Putins interview - The Times of India - March 16th, 2024
- Putin compares western elites to 'VAMPIRES' who 'fill their bellies with human flesh' - GB News - March 16th, 2024
- Every Time Alaric Died In The Vampire Diaries & Legacies - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- V Rising declares a 1.0 release date, climbing from the grave of a years-long early access to become your next time ... - Yahoo Movies UK - March 16th, 2024
- 15 Actors That Could Play Edward Cullen in the Twilight TV Series - MovieWeb - March 16th, 2024
- BLOOD HUNT #1 Preview Releases A Horde Of Vampires On The Marvel Universe's Greatest Heroes - CBM (Comic Book Movie) - March 16th, 2024
- Man accused of killing mother in Siletz believed she was a vampire - Yahoo News - March 16th, 2024
- Stephen King approved 'Salem's Lot' movie to stream on Max this year - Yahoo Movies Canada - March 16th, 2024
- Empire of the Damned Review: A Wickedly Good Time | Arts - Harvard Crimson - March 8th, 2024
- The BLOODCOVEN: Marvel's Vampires Get Their Own Avengers With 6 "Supervampires Fed on the Blood of ... - Screen Rant - March 8th, 2024
- 17 fantasy and science fiction books to read in March 2024 - Winter is Coming - March 8th, 2024
- This MCU Hero Returns to Fight Vampires as Marvel's Massive BLOOD HUNT Begins - Screen Rant - February 28th, 2024
- These Vampons by 'Artisan Vampires' Will Make Your Period Goth AF - Loudwire - February 28th, 2024
- Bloodsuckers Through the Ages - A History of Vampires (Video) - Ancient Origins - February 28th, 2024
- 'Blood Hunt' #2 Cover Shows the Avengers Are Bloody, Battered, and Broken - Marvel.com - February 28th, 2024
- Vampires Invade the Marvel Universe in New Blood Hunt Trailer - Superherohype.com - February 28th, 2024
- 'Near Dark' Is the Acid-Soaked Vampire Western You Need to See - IMDb - February 19th, 2024
- In The Sci-Fi World I Created, Vampires And Werewolves Are Still A Huge Problem (20 New Pics) - Bored Panda - February 19th, 2024
- Kathryn Bigelow's 'Near Dark' Is the Acid-Soaked Vampire Western You Need to See - Collider - February 19th, 2024
- Interview With the Vampire review Tom Cruise and Brad Pitts brilliant bloodsucking bromance - The Guardian - February 19th, 2024
- Is This Too Niche: Vampires - The Post - The Post - February 19th, 2024
- ALEX VAN HELSING Novel Trilogy Being Adapted as a TV Series By Kit Williamson GeekTyrant - GeekTyrant - February 19th, 2024
- The Supernatural Romance Of Vampire: The Masquerade Blood-Stained Love - Forbes - February 19th, 2024
- Leaving the shadows for passion: Why vampires are classic monsters that best reflect our fears and desires - EL PAS USA - February 19th, 2024
- Vampire Weekend to Embark on 2024 Tour, Releases Two New Singles - Variety - February 19th, 2024
- Vampire Weekend adds second Austin show to 2024 tour - Laredo Morning Times - February 19th, 2024
- Vampire Weekend's summer 2024 tour will stop in Minneapolis - Bring Me The News - February 19th, 2024
- Vampire Weekend Announce Massive Tour in Support of New Album Only God Was Above Us - Rolling Stone - February 19th, 2024
- Harry Potter: Are There Vampires in the Wizarding World? - CBR - Comic Book Resources - February 19th, 2024
- The Midnight Sons return, Black Panther becomes a vampire, and much more in Marvel's Blood Hunt tie-ins - Gamesradar - February 19th, 2024
- Morbius is The Secret To Saving Marvel's Entire Universe (Yes, Seriously) - Screen Rant - February 19th, 2024
- Geometry Survivor is a little Geometry Wars and a bit Vampire Survivors - GamingOnLinux - February 19th, 2024
- The War with Angels Is On! SYFY's Reginald the Vampire Officially Returns for Season 2 in May - Yahoo Entertainment - February 19th, 2024
- BLOOD HUNT: Marvel Comics Reveals T'Challa/Black Panther Will Be Transformed Into A Vampire This May - CBM (Comic Book Movie) - February 19th, 2024
- Interview With The Vampire season 2 teaser reveals May 12 release date - Winter is Coming - February 11th, 2024
- Interview with the Vampire Season 2: Cast, Latest News, and Everything You Need to Know - TV Guide - February 11th, 2024
- 'Interview with the Vampire' Season 2 coming to AMC in May - Yahoo Lifestyle UK - February 11th, 2024
- Vampires Are Here to Spill Some Blood in the Newest Max Win Gaming Slot Release Midnight Thirst Deadspins - World Casino Directory - February 11th, 2024
- Everything We Know About INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Season 2 - Yahoo Entertainment - February 11th, 2024
- Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler's top secret vampire movie will be set in the 1930s and have anime influences - Gamesradar - February 11th, 2024
- Sean Strickland has weird altercation with 'vampire' Machine Gun Kelly, Dana White offers hilarious reaction | Video ... - MMA Mania - February 11th, 2024
- Interview With The Vampire Season 2's Claudia Recast Impact Explained By Star & Producer - Screen Rant - February 11th, 2024
- Interview With The Vampire Season 2 Book Accuracy Explained By EP - Screen Rant - February 11th, 2024
- Vampire Weekend Announced Their 'Only God Was Above Us' New Album - UPROXX - February 11th, 2024
- Interview with the Vampire - AMC Sets Season Two Premiere Date - Bloody Disgusting - February 11th, 2024
- Vampire Weekend announce new album 'Only God Was Above Us' & Austin total eclipse show - Brooklyn Vegan - February 11th, 2024
- Vampire Weekend tease new music with a cryptic video - NME - February 11th, 2024
- Louis and Lestat Are Coming Back: Interview With the Vampire Season 2 Has a New Trailer - Them - February 11th, 2024
- Expansion Of Anne Rices Immortal Universe In Development; Interview With The Vampire & Mayfair Witches Season 2 Updates From AMC - Deadline - February 11th, 2024
- 'Interview With the Vampire' season 2 is FINALLY on the horizonhere's when you can watch it - Out Magazine - February 11th, 2024
- Introducing the 'Vampire Virus' and What It Means for Connecticut and New York - i95rock.com - February 11th, 2024
- 'Interview With the Vampire' Season 2 Release Date, Cast, Plot, and More - The Mary Sue - February 11th, 2024
- Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 Is Already Making One Big Mistake - Screen Rant - February 11th, 2024
- AMC's very good, very sexy Interview With The Vampire sets its return - Yahoo Entertainment - February 11th, 2024
- Man accused of burning down home said voices told him the place contained vampires - KOIN.com - February 3rd, 2024
- Dolly Parton on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' reboot: 'They're still working on that' - USA TODAY - February 3rd, 2024
- Become the ultimate vampire In V Rising, coming to PS5 this year - PlayStation - February 3rd, 2024
- Here's Your First Look At Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 Gameplay From Its New Developer - Game Informer - February 3rd, 2024
- The Vampire Diaries: Be Transported To Mystic Falls With These Best Books For Fans - GameRant - February 3rd, 2024
- Our first look at Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 shies away from what makes it a vampire RPG, and that has ... - Gamesradar - February 3rd, 2024
- Hulu's ACOTAR Show Could Kick Off The Next Early 2000s Vampire Craze - Screen Rant - February 3rd, 2024
- Dolly Parton On Potential Buffy The Vampire Slayer Revival: Theyre Still Working On That - Deadline - February 3rd, 2024
- Here's 15 minutes of The Chinese Room's Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 - Eurogamer.net - February 3rd, 2024
- Sink Your Fangs into This Extended Gameplay Reveal of Vampire: the Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 - MMORPG.com - February 3rd, 2024
- They're still working on it: Dolly Parton teases Buffy The Vampire Slayer revival - Gay Times Magazine - February 3rd, 2024
- 'Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2' gameplay revealed in new trailer - NME - February 3rd, 2024
- Dolly Parton Hints At 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Reboot - Purple Sneakers - February 3rd, 2024
- All 8 The Vampire Diaries Seasons, Ranked Worst To Best - Screen Rant - February 3rd, 2024
- 10 BTS The Vampire Diaries Details That Will Change How You See The Show - Screen Rant - February 3rd, 2024
- Is Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot still in the works? Here's what Dolly Parton says - Sportskeeda - February 3rd, 2024
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot still in the works, says Dolly Parton - PinkNews - February 3rd, 2024
- Dolly Parton shares Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot revelation - The Independent - February 3rd, 2024
- Dolly Parton Spills the Tea on Potential 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Reboot - American Songwriter - February 3rd, 2024
- Hit Vampire RPG V Rising Arrives on PS5 This Year - Push Square - February 3rd, 2024
- Blade Theory: Mahershala Ali isn't Hunting Vampires, He's Hunting Followers of Knull Planning an Incursion - FandomWire - January 26th, 2024
Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero