Opinion: Why Twilight is great
Twilight is a (comedic) masterpiece.
I know what you’re thinking: “Twilight” is one of the worst movies ever made, along with the rest of the film series. But I’m here to explain to you that “Twilight” can be an enjoyable experience for everyone whether they’re Team Edward, Team Jacob or Team Anti-Twilight.
“Twilight” came out in 2008, and is based on the 2005 novel of the same name. Both the books and movies have had great financial success. However, many people were quick to point out the obvious mistakes and overall cringe-factor of the movies.
Some said it supported toxic and abusive relationships, while others hated the terrible acting and special effects. At one point the vampires play baseball — it has nothing to do with the plot — and it is never mentioned in the movies ever again. Yeah, weird.
But, cringe-humor is a spectacular sub-genre of comedy that is more popular than people realize.
If you’ve watched “The Office”, you know that the writers rely heavily on cringe-humor. Other shows to use cringe-humor include “Curb Your Enthusiasm” with Larry David, “Nathan For You”, and “Girls”. These shows have earned critical acclaim and won awards for their writing; even the writing that made people laugh uncomfortably.
Nikki Reed in Twilight (2008) (IMDB)
“Twilight” may have been trying to be a dramatic romance, but in a different light, it can be seen as a romantic comedy that is full of laughs and internal squirming!
Some will criticize the “Twilight” series for portraying women in a negative light; weak, dominated, unrealistically represented, etc. But as Asif Becher writes for The Michigan Daily, “Maybe [‘Twilight’] wasn’t necessarily “empowering” (whatever that means), but it was powerful, and I don’t mean emotionally powerful, I mean it represented a tangible cultural power. For a few years, one of the biggest blockbuster franchises that completely saturated the media and its surrounding discourse was a story about a teenage girl’s supernatural romance.” There was a cultural significance the franchise held for people, even if they never watched the movies.
When I recently rewatched the movies, I could understand the “young teenage girl” group falling over backwards for the attractive love-interests and enticing romances. But, personally, I was laughing the whole time. I felt nostalgic watching them after all these years, and I could now see what people meant by “terrible,” “god-awful,” “why is this even a thing,” and so forth. But I turned that negative energy into comedic resonance.
Robert Pattinson in Twilight (2008) (IMDB)
As the series goes on, one of the main characters falls in love with a baby. A baby. No one bats an eye. There are also numerous plot holes, creepy innuendoes, and weird designs and effects.
Everything that’s terrible about “Twilight,” though, makes it all the more enjoyable from a cynical point of view.
We don’t always watch movies because they’re masterpieces. Sometimes we watch them because they’re crazy and fun — “Twilight” is just that. Absolutely insane. The “Star Wars” prequels were pretty bad, but people still watch — even worship those. The same goes for movies like “The Room” and “Troll.”
I was surprised to learn that the author of the series, Stephanie Meyer, actually belongs to the Morman faith, and includes themes of abstinence, a defense of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and women in political and social positions of power.
While romance, cringe-comedy, and contemporary fantasy isn’t for everybody, I feel like everyone can find something to love—or make fun of—in the Twilight movies. It’s entertaining whether you take it seriously or not. Embracing the absurd things in life will make them more enjoyable, and ridiculous movies shouldn’t be taken seriously anyway.