Twilight isn't Bad, It was a Cultural Reset | In Defense of Twilight 

Timestamps 🧛🩸: 0:00 - Introduction 0:53 - Twilight 7:34 - New Moon 10:16 - Eclipse 12:33 - Breaking Dawn

The first time I watched Twilight was up in the mountains in a small theater at midnight, and when I exited the theatre, it was snowing. Nothing comes close to that feeling let me tell you

If Twilight was made in the 14th century we probably will hail it as a literature classic

What I would give to see Catherine Hardwicke’s version of all the movies 😩

As a twilight fan still to this day, twilight isn't nor will ever be perfect but we love it anyways. 💕 We love how dumb some characters can be, the plot holes and everything else. But damn i would be lying if i didn't want a reboot series with the proper treatment of the twilight saga vampire lore because the books have a good base to stand on and the side characters are great! ✨

I had no idea the first movie had a different director. That makes so much sence because the first one is amazing and i hold it so dear in my heart!!! I mean aside from the fact that the first one has cringe writing and acting. BUT the vibes music and aesthetic are insanely amazing. Love love love

I only like the first movie. It had such a sweet Indie feel to it and watching these weird, awkward kids fall in love was heartwarming to me. Every other movie felt very different, though. I didn't like how 'big' and bright they got. As for the books, though - only New Moon disappointed me.

Twilight will always hold a special place in my heart

I always felt the odd one out when I said I liked the first Twilight movie the most. Everyone always bashed on it because of its "low-quality", but I think it captured the vibe perfectly of the books and a cloudy, rainy small town. Additionally, I feel that Catherine Hardwicke was able to come up with good creative solutions to the budget cuts imposed on her. It's because of this that I feel that Twilight is the most grounded movie from the series.

"He [Edward] gets depressed because he killed people before or something. So he breaks up with Bella. Bella gets depressed because breakups are tough and you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket." Idk why, but this line cracked me up 😂

Twilight had everything working against it because of misogyny and society's outright hatred for teenage girls and it was STILL a huge success. I wish Catherine Hardwicke directed every film because the male directors had no artistic vision and way less respect for the intelligence of their audience. Sophia Coppola would have absolutely smashed it as well. Imagine those two women co-directing the entire series!!! 13-year-old me would have had a full-on religious experience.

My goodness! If it isn't the BEST Twilight review I've ever seen! I agree with EVERYTHING! Especially about the first movie. It's so so special and, like you said, intimate. It has that magical atmosphere of autumn, mystery, somberness, adventures, hopes and dreams. Also the forest looks and feels huge in it. You wonder what else can there be?... Other movies unfortunately don't have that and that's why I just can't rewatch them. Even though they have great moments. Thank you for the video! 🖤

Kristen Stewart is responsible for Flightless Bird American Mouth? Her impact cannot be overstated

A major aspect of the series is the mormon lens that Stephanie has.

I read the novels first and it gave you Edward’s perspective more than the movies and something that was special in my opinion was how he really valued her character, it the novel it went more into depth about how she cared after her father and what a thoughtful person she was. She was also deeper than her peers until Edward was the only thing on her mind but I liked those aspects. You did a great video and I always enjoy hearing your opinion.

team edward all the way!! This video touched my heart

I first saw twilight on TV, there was a scene where Bella goes into the woods, and Edward follows her. And the atmosphere was so intriguing that I realized that I had to watch it from the very beginning. And I went to look for a movie on the Internet. I really it love for the filter, the selection of actors and clothes.

Ehhh i mean i also liked twilight but i disagree completely when you said bella’s a strong independent female character. I feel like she never earned anything, everyone’s just automatically drawned to her, and the plot drives her along and she rarely ever attempts to drive it. Most of her actions are all about ‘i’m so selfless’ even though there are many smarter ways to handle it. And she legit do so many self destructive things just so she can be with edward. But i think that’s what makes her character interesting

Screaming in agreement with everything! This video is so good, so fun. Love all the Catherine Hardwick quotes you selected to highlight that the series was done a disservice by men who merely wanted to turn an easy profit on fandom. The first “Twilight” will forever be a fav and my go to recommendation as an underrated classic.

Thank you so much for your video. It made me reflect on how much I actually adore Twilight the first move, and it explained why I always thought something was off with the others. In my opinion, they should have never changed the director:

I didn't know how hated new moon was!!!! its my favourite one out of the entire saga but I am currently wearing my team Jacob shirt so biased

OMG YESSSS! best twilight video essay, i'm in love with your channel🥰 when i need comfort i only see the first two movies tbh, and to this day i keep wondering what would've happened if catherine hardwicke directed the whole saga or at least, the director of new moon

Currently rewatching the Twilight series and its EXCEPTIONALLY weird in Breaking Dawn to spend so much time around Edward fucking Bella to death (watching it with my mom as well lol). I also love the twilight franchise because I love the vibe. The indie music, the grungy fashion, the melancholia and of course the beautiful pacific northwest. I really wish we could have seen an entire Catherine Hardwicke directed series.

I enjoy twilight. I think the acting is fine. But edward absolutely is abusive. He disables her truck because he doesn't want her going anywhere. He treats her like crap. he sneaks into her room while she sleeps. We can enjoy the movie without acting like his behavior is okay or normal. I do think we need to stop hating everything teenage and young girls enjoy.

Sometimes I think that "Twilight" could have been better if it was written by someone else. Don't get me wrong, Stephenie Meyer is a good writer and I love the way she describes a scene, but it makes me uncomfortable when something follows blindly and has a strong religious message disguised 😕

I’m sorry but Robert Pattinson never got the hate and misogyny Kristen got. Kristen was literally hated and criticized and mocked for existing - even though she cared about Twilight while it was just a joke to Rpattz. We need to discuss the double standards that she still faces to this day in how she’s treated so much worse by the general public and media than him.

I think Twilight has an amazing plot that had a lot of potential, if it was written by someone else. The only things that bug me in this story are Edward's weird actions towards Bella, Bella's character being unlikeable and boring and the weird plot wholes and the fact that Stephanie Meyers literally broke her own rules for the Twilight universe

Hey, I liked what you said about teenage girls, I agree. I always feel like people like to make money aou of teenagers but never reward them with quality. I think is even worse for kids.

Thank you for this video, I agree with you almost entirely, this saga will always have a special place in my heart and it reminds me of good times.

Omg I grew up watching this movie with my mom as well! We were both fans of this movie. I remember going to see breaking dawn pt1 in theaters with my mom. It was my first pg13 movie I saw at the movie theater ❤️❤️

I think everyone can agree that the first one was the best. The outfits were amazing, soundtrack too, the characters weren’t annoying and unlikable, I loved it! The breaking dawns on the other hand is a different story…

Bella does love Jacob too. but your interpretation is valid too.

Part of the stigma seems, to me at least, to come from society. Romcoms are already treated with such disdain, but the fact that it was pOpUlAr? Romcoms can’t be popular. The fact that many women tend to find comfort in this? Not good, this movie can’t be good, it’s a romance! Some chick flick! It’s disgusting, and seeing people hate it hurts. I just went on a big defense on it a few days ago, but if we treat Twilight like a rotten egg for some of its flaws, I say we tear apart movies like Fast and Furious, and Star Wars. Nothing is perfect, but being targeted at women doesn’t EVER mean it is bad already.

Thank you for this. I see so many hate on Twilight, but they rarely talk about its good points.

This is such an extraordinary video essay. Have you thought of publishing this in written form somewhere? This would be a great paper or article on film, media and culture studies or any specialised magazine. Or even as an opinion piece on any media outlet, really! I just think it's great and more people should access this content. :) You're awesome!!

It's a flawless representation of smaller town PNW living and I love it. I still crack up when people dig on the "Bella Bella, where for ought thou Bella" line, cause I used to do that in a Sean Connery accent for lols.

I become entirely too emotionally-invested in these videos 😂❤

I'm so in love with this chanel 😊

I love your channel!

tbh, i never particularly dug the movies, watched them once each with respective “meh”s after. but this is just a matter of personal taste. one thing i would agree strongly is that the soundtrack is one of the most iconic in the cinema history, especially for the first film. i mean, “Decode” ffs (along with many others, but this is my personal best). it was so memorable and influential in my case, that in 2022 it was still in top-2 most played by the end of the year. and it’s certainly not going anywhere in the observable future lool

I love twilight. Everything about it. I think the mid 2000’s was a perfect time to make it. It’s just a whole vibe you know😭 the clothes, the music adds so much to it. And I just can’t explain how much I enjoy it. Even the cringey moments. But hey, you know I’m also a teenage girl so there’s that😂

You know these people are great actors when they play the most obnoxious characters and in real life they are a bunch of very funny, charismatic and loveable people.

Kristen Stewart choosing flightless bird is everything I needed to know ❤️

I read the books when I was 12 and loved the story. It made perfect sense in my mind then and I still think the story in general builds such an interesting world. The movies are okay but the books hold a special place for me

this whole video... THIS WHOLE VIDEO is probably everything i've ever thought about the saga and you put into words things like why i really don't like the Breaking Dawn movies, it does look very soulless, even the soundtrack didn't hit like in the other movies

5:12 Finally found that lost trailer from my childhood: _Dogtown and Z-Boys_ (2002).

The twilight franchise shoulld have ended with her turning a vampire becoming the second coming of Lilith and killing jacob and edward...

Omg, its crazy that you mentioned you and your mother listening to the twilight soundtrack in the car, because me and my mom did the exact same thing lol!! Wed burn that outtt, it was so iconic tho

Where did u access robs and kstews commentary?

Thank you for this video. I can't stand peoples critics of this movies, so this feels like a breath of fresh air. There's literally another one of those "twilight problematic" videos on the side bar right now, another man with the same opinions on the movie that he doesn't care about and they won't stop coz it makes views, ugh, 15 years of same shit

The Twilight saga has a wonderful plot and intriguing characters. A lot of the haters criticizing Twilight seem to be talking about a different story, they stretch scenes and plot points to fit the negative interpretation they are choosing for it. The Twilight books were written by a female author, and the protagonist is a female character and the book(with exceptions) is generally loved by a female audience. There is NOTHING WRONG with that! The movies were a lot of fun to watch and the books were a wonderful read, with an exploration of complex characters with a fascinating plot. Frankly the Twilight franchise was and is popular because simply, it was good. The avid critics should choose something else to hate.

"i owe my life to twilight" is so real

Great review 👍🏽☺️

i read all the books and watched all the movies. i was at that young adult age where love is the most magical feeling and my relationship is everything in this world. of course, oblivious to the toxicity and red flags of the relationship itself - nothing to do with the book. now, can someone please review "The Host" already? by the same author and the female lead in the movie is Saoirse Ronan.

Twilight was objectively bad but charming enough to make it good

new moon is the movie i watch over and over.

I think Twilight has a lot of potential, but unfortunately the story execution is wrong, especially about healthy relationship. If it's going to be rebooted, it needs major story overhaul.

Jacob also being toxic doesn’t mean that Edward wasn’t lmao.

#teamedwardbella 🔥❤

I think Twilight is the perfect movie that can show how a girl can grow into a strong, feminine woman. First of all you can't see Twilight as a story. Vampires and were wolves don't exist, so it's a fairy tale. A fantasy movie. Every time an animal or a fantasy character appears in a story or fairy tale, it is teaching us a lesson. In fairy tales and dreams animals and vampires are a part of ourselves. When Bella is growing up she has a fear in her heart of losing someone. ("Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies, all the poems, the songs, Shakespeare is about life and death, losing someone you love is probably the biggest fear). The vampires are a symbol of spiritual strength. Jasper can control emotions, that means he can fight, Rosalie can see consequences, Alice can see the future, Carlite has compassion, Edward can read minds. Jasper is showing how you can control fear, "you have to be focused" (so that fear is not getting into your consciousness), "don't turn your back to the enemy" (be aware if fears comes in), "don't let the hands get around your neck, it will crush you" (don't act out of fear). The spiritual strength can be learned and strengthen through visualization, imaging, positive thoughts, the power of the mind. There are evil spirits and good spirits. Evil forces against good forces in the world. The were wolves are a symbol of self-love, self- confidence. (Jacob is his own sun). First of all Bella has to learn self-love, Edward, the mental power, has to disappear, so that she can learn to love herself without any attachments. In order to have all feminine parts integrated in the psyche, self-love and spirituality (the were wolves and the vampires) have to work together. Giving birth is Bella's transformation into a strong, female and wise woman. Also the name of the titles of twilight, (New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn) shows the development of a woman in different stages of her growth. Imprinting is a symbol of love, you can't control who you love, it's automatically, your child, the husband you choose, you don't know why, it happens, you wanted protect and help the person you love. "It's a wolf thing", as Jacob said in the movie. Bella says in the beginning always something important about the content of the movie, a poem, Shakespeare, her fear, when she was separated from her mom. The fear of death and separation is the theme of all movies. The movies are teaching us how you can overcome fear. All parts of yourself have to be integrated in your psyche. Then the woman has different parts of herself available to any given situation. She can fight, she can love herself, she can protect, she can control herself, she can use her intuition (to see the future, and to read minds) and so on. In that sense, Twilight is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Most people don't understand the underlying message of the saga. But a lot of people unconsciously receive the deeper meaning and they can learn a lot from watching Twilight. Unfortunately a lot of people are feeling entitled to make YT videos, without getting it, they don't comprehend the importance and inspiration of the Twilight Saga.

I love how dry and dramatic this voice over is. It's fucking hilarious. "Long story short, i owe my life to twilight"

i love the Twilight series and the books.

I’m not a huge reader, but I did read these before the movies & I LOVED the books they are great reads.

Oh my God, did you not know about the Renesmee animatronics doll?!

Thanks for this 😊 I am a strong independent female but I love a man who can PROTECT ME and cares ifor me. Who is ALL IN.

I used to hate on twilight I was in elementary school at the time it first came out and it was the “cool” thing to do like hating on Justin Bieber. However my mom loved this show and I still ended up watching every one with her. I’m 21 and my mom passed away when I was 16 looking back on these films although I know lots of nostalgia makes me Bias these films weren’t horrible the last 2 were not great to be honest and there’s many plot holes and flaws with them but they are the best vampire/romance films out I believe if you can look past some of the flaws and cheesiness.

If you want a good laugh and a good cry I would recommend but I would caution the amount cringe you will experience. Tread lightly 😊

People hate this movie series yet fans loved it why do reviewers and fans disagree? :(

I do love the first film and book. The 2nd book and film are depressing. Hard to read 📚

Twilight Is My Childhood

You was doing allot with the last two movies like that weren’t that bad……in many of the areas that you were talking about at least.

Twilight is bad, stupid, and is ALSO a cultural reset. And listen peeps! #TeamDad needs more respect than your fake-ass romance drama between the vampires and the wolfs.

Bill did NOT direct Chicago. Rob Marshal did.

you're right and you should say it

You should read the first book. It’s pretty good 👍🏻 Also, the original movie’s soundtrack included Claire de Lune and Bella’s Lullaby. Both of which are beyond fantastic ❤

I find the movies entertaining tho, I understand the hate it gets. But the thing that bothers me the most, is that,the books are god-awful. Probably some of the worst writing I've ever read!

Team Bella’s dad

wait... they really had the rest of the saga directed by _men?_ like... wut

How can you say anything about this when you have not read the book!! Movies never are as good as the book!

How does this quintolgy effect lebron’s legacy

Personally I ❤ twilight

There are a couple of things much worse than the already problematic Twilight series. I do say that the most notoriously accurate candidate for a novel that is much worse than Twilight is the infamously (yet canonically) Mary Sue-centric Empress Theresa Book.

Thank you for this while I love the last two movies a lot and don’t agree/see most of it being cringe or bad. (Besides eclipse) it’s the first time I feel okay with it. I feel like a lot of people who claim they like twilight are so mean spirited sometimes and it feels like they’re trying to make the people who hate twilight like them. But your opinions were neutral and well explained. I love twilight It’s personally to me the best saga/movies ever. But I still acknowledge some of the problematic subtext like the imprinting (so unessesary should’ve been with Leah) my ranking for the twilight movies are 1.twilight 2.breaking dawn 2 3.breaking dawn 1 4.new moon 5.eclipse P.S you perfectly explained a lot of the problems I have with eclipse that I could just not really figure out. I thought it was bc of the love triangle but it’s only a small part of why. And it just has that tv look can’t explain what that means but I don’t want my movies to look like it’s a tv show lol

wait but how is it a "cultural reset"

Its not good, funny series to watch but not good

Honestly I love Breaking Dawn part 1, it's just so funny and it gives me good memories.

No its not. It was popular only cause of girls thirsting over Edward or Jacob. the acting is terrible the only good thing is the fantasy vibe

It's certainly a reflection of whiteness.