Hold on tight spider monkey.
As the 15th anniversary rolled around, I found myself revisiting the familiar world of the Twilight film series. Call it a momentary lapse in judgment, or a craving for the simple days, but there I was, back in my mom’s living room, diving headfirst into a Twilight marathon.
I fully immersed myself in the series for the first time as a 13-year-old with unrestricted internet access. Watching fan edits of Bella and Edward on YouTube in my free time, I became obsessed. At the time, my world revolved around the ethereal romance between a mortal and a vampire, set against the backdrop of a town perpetually under a cloud of fog.
Though it’s embarrassing to admit, I mentally prepared how I would react if a charming vampire or a hot werewolf suddenly entered my life (I was Team Jacob).
Spoiler alert: my life remained resolutely supernatural-free.
As the years passed, so did my once unbridled enthusiasm for the sparkling vampires of Forks, Washington. The intense debates with fellow fans over the superiority of vampires versus werewolves on Tumblr and Twitter gradually faded into a memory. School, friendships, and the real world took centre stage, pushing the once beloved series to the recesses of my mind.
However, as I rewatched all five films, I was reminded of why I fell in love with them in the first place.
As the familiar scenes unfolded on the screen, I couldn’t help but laugh at the melodramatic dialogue and the brooding stares that once seemed so profound.
she's just like me fr pic.twitter.com/8gTl0DZJDU
— twilight renaissance | fanpage (@twilightreborn) March 11, 2022
I realized how much I’ve changed since those days of impassioned Team Jacob declarations. Not only am I no longer Team Jacob, but life gave me a crash course in reality, and the supernatural drama of Forks felt like a distant dream.
Yet, amidst the laughter and eyerolls, I couldn’t deny the genuine fondness I held for the franchise. It was a time capsule, capturing the essence of my early teenage years—the awkward crushes, the unfiltered emotions, and the belief love could conquer all, even if it involved vampires and werewolves.
The 15-year anniversary has me reflecting on the overall cultural impact of Twilight, both the books and the movies. The series didn’t just spawn movies and merchandise, it sparked a wave of paranormal romance that inundated bookshelves and cinemas.
Suddenly, vampires weren’t just creatures of the night; they were heartthrobs, and werewolves weren’t just howling at the moon; they were vying for the hearts of readers and viewers alike.
As the credits rolled on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part Two, I found myself smiling, not just at the on-screen memories but at the broader cultural legacy of the series. It wasn’t just a teenage love story, it was a phenomenon that reshaped the landscape of young adult fiction and popularized the supernatural romance genre.
The impact of Twilight extended beyond its core fan base, influencing a generation of readers, and paving the way for other franchises celebrating strong, independent female protagonists. Bella wasn’t a damsel in distress, she was a young woman making her own choices, even if they involved dating a centuries-old vampire.
The series showcased a female protagonist who wasn’t just a love interest but had her own agency, desires, and decisions—paving the way for movies and books made by women, about women, and for women.
Here’s to 15 years of Twilight—a sparkly, brooding, and slightly melodramatic chapter that will forever hold a special place in the hearts of fangirls and fanboys around the world. As I close this chapter on my Twilight journey, I’m filled with gratitude for the memories, the laughs, and the unintended life lessons.
Whether you’re Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team I Don’t Care, there’s no denying the lasting cultural impact of this vampire romance saga.
Sometimes, revisiting the past is not just about nostalgia, but about recognizing the impact of a cultural phenomenon that, for better or worse, became a defining chapter in many of our lives.
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