It seems like just yesterday that we were all suffering through a brutal winter, desperately looking for ways to spend our time other than inside, bundled up in cosy indoor surroundings. But then, as abruptly as the winter season ended, spring had sprung, and we were treated to a glorious season of sunshine and blooming flowers. The weather may have been fantastic, but the temperatures were anything but, as we were all forcibly reminded of the discomfort that lay ahead as the climate changed.
While the seasons transitioned one after the other, their effects upon our emotional landscape were anything but gradual. We may have been denied the warm sun and bright colours of spring, but her kisses brought relief to our chilly winter nights, and we craved her presence with each breath we took.
And then there was the rain. If spring turned out to be a bittersweet season for us, then summer was even worse. We were forced to watch helplessly as puddles formed in the tracks outside our homes, mocking our impotent tears. We were desperate for the sun to shine and the temperature to rise, and the monotony of the daily rain was maddening. We longed for summer to hurry up and arrive so we could at last feel at ease in our own environment again.
It’s been two years since Twilight first graced our cinema screens in early 2012. Since then, the book series it was based on has become a global phenomenon, leading to the recent live-action adaption being among the most anticipated films of 2020. This year will mark the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Twilight books, and with them, the film trilogy that became a cultural phenomenon.
In that time, the world has shifted to embrace a more natural living style. We’ve seen an increase in detox retreats, vegan meals being promoted as a sustainable option, and more and more people choosing to view nature as something to be embraced, preserved and valued rather than feared and hidden from. This mindset has certainly made its mark on the films of 2020, with an increasing focus upon the fragility of the natural world and the damage humans are capable of inflicting upon it. As such, the Twilight films, while still maintaining their trademark humour and escapades, now feel like an extension of our eco-aware society, celebrating the power of love over nature.
It’s fair to say that the two stars who embody this power more than any other are Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. The British actor began playing Edward Cullen in the 2008 film adaptation of the Twilight Saga, and he has not looked back since. Since then, he has starred in each subsequent film in the trilogy, cementing his place as the definitive Edward and forming a on-screen couple that is as magnetic and lovable as the storybook couple we all love to read about. Similarly, Stewart has played a pivotal role in each of the films, portraying Bella, the smart, sassy, but ultimately vulnerable heroine whose loyalty to her friends and family are the pillars of the Twilight franchise. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniably one of the main draws of their partnership, as they bring their A-game to every role they play.
The Films’ Major Impact
Twilight has truly changed the course of cinema history, becoming one of the most successful film series of all time, earning more than $12 billion at the box office worldwide. Its influence is hard to overstate – from the blockbuster films it inspired, to the ripple effects it had upon the makeup and fashion industries, to the rise of YOLO culture and the #teampillates trend on TikTok. The series has also proven to be one of the most successful cross-media projects of all time, with its various platforms (including film, books, and comics) contributing to a global audience of more than 500 million people. It wasn’t just limited to film and book readers either, as the series sparked a trend amongst Twitter users to recreate iconic Twilight photos, using the hashtag #Twilightgram.
The first film in the trilogy, Twilight, was released in 2008 and went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of all time, earning $400 million at the box office worldwide. Its influence can still be felt upon the big-budget films of today, with the 2020 remake of The Matrix sparking renewed interest in the story of Neo and his quest to realise his full potential.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the second film of the trilogy, was released in 2010 and went on to become one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time, receiving widespread praise for stunning visuals and an innovative use of 3D technology. While the original cast returned for the role of Edward Cullen, it was the emergence of Jacob, a mysterious boy who befriends Bella, that proved to be the true highlight of the sequel. The cast and crew of Eclipse went on to win several awards, including the 2010 Golden Globe for best performance by an actor in a supporting role; and the Empire Award for best British movie. As with the other films in the series, the influence of Twilight is still felt today, even two years after its premiere.
Looking Back
While the immediate future of cinema is looking brighter than ever, it’s important not to forget about the darker events of the recent past, as tragedies such as the Covid-19 pandemic have exposed the fragility of the human condition, reminding us that we are not truly independent free-thinking beings immune to tragedy but, rather, entwined within a web of interconnectedness that can blindside us at any moment.
It is in these dark times that we must seek out our saviour figures, the ones that give us comfort, protect us from harm, and show us the true power of love over nature.
The world will breathe a sigh of relief when these days are behind them, and we can look forward to a time when cinema can proudly embrace its place within the community once more.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Now, let’s be fair, we’re not talking about cinema’s most prominent stars here. We’re discussing the power of love over nature in the most iconic of its franchisees: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. Where do we go from here? Do they have a third act planned? Are they going to continue being role models for our generation of young people, making daring fashion choices and inspiring us to embrace the natural world?
We’ll never know the answer to these questions, as it seems that fate has been on the mind of Hollywood’s most famous couple for some time now. As the saying goes, life begins at the end of the phone, and it’s been reported that these days, the couple are spending more time together than ever before, even as we speak. So perhaps it’s not a bad thing that we’ll never know the answers to these questions, as long as they continue to enjoy each other’s company. For now, we can only speculate.