So you watched the Twilight movies. Or maybe you’re one of those people who never actually got around to watching them. Either way, you know what they are and you’re likely to have heard of them. Now that the saga is over, the question is: what’s the deal? Why are Edward and Bella so popular, and what would the soundtrack of Twilight look like? Let’s take a look.
The Rise Of The Genre
If you’re looking for an explanation as to why the Twilight franchise became so popular, you can begin with the fact that it was the first time in a while that we’ve seen a movie that falls within the realm of the paranormal. We’ve seen ghosts, vampires, and demons take over the big screen before, but never before had we seen a human-versus-human battle play out on film. And to be honest, it was a breath of fresh air. Especially since it wasn’t just a mindless action movie. There was a lot more to it than that.
The first movie in the series, Twilight, introduced us to a world that we’d never seen before. It wasn’t just a story about a vampire and a werewolf falling in love; there were layers and layers of meaning within the movie. If you’re looking for a traditional, run-of-the-mill vampire movie, then you’re going to be disappointed. Twilight isn’t that kind of movie.
A Coming Out Party
The thing about the Twilight series is that it’s a true coming out party for the LGBTQ+ community. If you’re not aware of what LGBTQ+ means, it stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. Essentially, it’s an umbrella term for all the people who feel excluded or repressed because of society’s standards. For example, maybe you’re a lesbian and you’ve never felt really comfortable being open about your sexuality. Or maybe you’ve always felt that you could be more masculine and feel more like a man. Or maybe you’ve felt like a woman but were assigned male at birth. The list of possible reasons why you might feel excluded is endless. But none of that matters when it comes to the fact that you can be whoever you want to be, without judgment.
The reason behind this is that Bella is a human being in full. She’s not a monster. She doesn’t have to be anything more than she is. She chooses to love Edward, and that’s a beautiful thing. Even if you weren’t a person who identified as LGBTQ+, you’d have to admit that nothing could look or sound more romantic than two humans falling in love in the face of adversity. It’s a beautiful story and a perfect encapsulation of the LGBTQ+ community’s ideal of romance.
What makes this even more special is that it wasn’t just a romance story. It was also a story about family, and the responsibilities that come with it. Because when you have a family, you have others who rely on you, and those you depend on can both give and take love. It was a coming out party, but it was also a coming together.
Intimate Apes
Another incredible thing about the Twilight movies is that they were made with such a degree of intimacy. As a result, they felt like a real coming out party, in a way. The characters felt real and they felt like someone you might know. If you’ve ever felt like there wasn’t anyone you could talk to about being different, then these movies are for you. Especially if you’re feeling that way right now.
This is primarily because of the way the characters are portrayed. For example, it’s been proven time and time again that the characters in these movies aren’t really vampires; they’re just like us. Specifically, they’re asexual. This means that aside from the physical transformations that come with vampirism, they don’t really have to worry about sex. Or at least, they don’t have to hide it the way regular vampires do. Because they can control their blood lust with an ironclad will, they’re able to maintain an incredibly high degree of emotional stability.
While this might sound like a nightmare, for the most part it’s been proven to be an amazing way to live. As a result, it’s no wonder that many of the characters in the Twilight movies wind up staying in the shadows. They don’t want to jeopardize their new, healthier lifestyle by letting the world know what they are. We see this especially with Edward, who wants to keep his true nature a secret. He doesn’t want to hurt Bella, and he certainly doesn’t want to hurt anyone else. Because of this, we’re meant to see him as a sympathetic character. Even the vampire villains in the film, who wish death upon him, see why he might want to keep his true nature a secret.
Romantic Nightmares And Vivid Dreams
Another incredible thing about the Twilight movies is that they’re some of the most romantic stories that we’ve ever seen. Not only is it a testament to the power of love, but the way the characters’ emotions are displayed is really something special. You’d think that after falling in love for the first time, experiencing a broken heart, and subsequently getting over it, that the character would be put in a state of perpetual bliss. But no, Edward and Bella’s love is a work in progress, much like our own. This is mostly because their relationships are defined by conflicts and challenges. Naturally, this is because Edward wants to protect Bella from harm, and she wants to be assured that he truly loves her.
For example, let’s say that Edward is the archetypal alpha male. He’s strong and confident and believes that he deserves to be the one to protect and provide for his lover. This is all well and good, but it means that sometimes he can be a little insensitive. He doesn’t always think of what’s best for his lover, and she’s had to grow a thick skin because of it. Naturally, this is a source of great pain for her because she truly does care about him. That’s the kind of love that these characters have for each other; it’s not always easy, but it’s always real.
Now, what if we reverse the roles? What if it’s Bella who’s the strong one and dominant, while Edward is the more submissive one? This is not to say that there aren’t any contradictions. For example, when Bella wants to surprise Edward with a romantic gesture, he has to take a step back to allow her to do so. But it’s more of a case of complementary differences. In this scenario, it’s important to remember that even the strongest person can be taken down by the slightest bit of kindness. For example, Edward is strong, but he’s also very gentle and kind. So when he sees Bella struggling with a tray of desserts, he offers to help. This simple act of kindness softens him, and soon enough, he’s in her arms, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. So, even though it’s tough, it’s essential to keep your wits about you, because you never know when that little kindness could be the key to unlocking the perfect romantic moment.
A Whole Lot Of Emotion
Another incredible thing about the Twilight movies is that it doesn’t just contain romance. There’s a whole lot more going on beneath the surface. These are not your typical romance stories. There’s a sense of danger, suspense, and even a bit of horror. What isn’t there is a lack of intensity. This is mostly because the characters truly love one another, and that shines through onscreen, even though there are some trying circumstances. Naturally, this is because the actors were given a lot of room to pour their emotions into the characters. In general, it’s proven that when there’s a lot of emotional investment, even the most unlikely of situations can feel like it could really happen. For example, it’s been hinted that Jasper’s hatred for Edward could lead to violence. But in the event of a struggle, it’s not hard to see how that tension could lead to something more. When you feel this way about a character or a situation, it can increase the stakes for the viewer, because they too feel something for the characters.
So, while we were all worried about the fate of the world after The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, we shouldn’t have been. Because in the event of a conflict, even the most unlikely of outcomes feels like it could happen. Naturally, this is partly thanks to the incredible acting ability of the stars. But it’s also due to the fact that we care about these characters and situations enough to make it believable that evil could win out in the end.