I recently finished watching the entire Twilight series for the first time. Coming from the perspective of a non-Twilight fan, I definitely have some unpopular opinions.
Twilight
In the first installment of the Twilight franchise, Bella Swan, a seventeen-year-old girl, and Edward Cullen, a vampire, are introduced. The film is set in the rainy town of Forks, Washington, and focuses on Bella and Edward’s budding relationship and the hardships faced due to their conflicting natures. Edward’s family, a coven of vampires, joins forces to protect Bella from a swarm of “evil vampires.”
New Moon
In Twilight: New Moon, Bella celebrates her eighteenth birthday with the Cullens at their house. After a frightening incident when Bella cuts her finger, Edward decides that he is too dangerous to be around her and disappears. Without Edward, Bella exists only in a depressive state and subsequently seeks the comfort of Jacob Black, her best friend. However, throughout their friendship, Jacob begins acting strangely, which leads to Bella finding out he is a “shape-shifter” or a wolf. She also learns of his ancient grudge against the vampire species and consequent disapproval of her relationship with Edward.
Bella later finds out that a vampire named Victoria wants to avenge her mate James, whom Edward killed in the first installment, by killing her. Edward decides to call Bella, but Jacob answers and unknowingly makes him think that Bella has committed suicide. Stricken by grief, Edward sets off to meet the Volturi, the law enforcers of the vampire world, with a request to die. They will not kill him, so Edward decides to reveal himself to humans to ensure his death. Bella appears to save Edward from death; However, the Volturi now want to kill her, but a vision is shown to them of Bella eventually becoming a vampire. Edward tells Bella that he will only turn her into a vampire under the condition that she will marry him.
Eclipse
Eclipse, the third installment of the Twilight series, begins with Victoria turning a college student, Riley Biers, into a vampire. She intends to incorporate him into a “newborn army” to hunt down Bella. Amidst the supernatural violence in Forks, Edward decides to take Bella to Jacksonville, Florida, to visit her mother to assure her safety. After they return, Bella discovers that Victoria has returned and is sent to spend time with Jacob for protection. Jacob later confesses his love for Bella and forcefully kisses her, which results in awkward tension between the two.
A few days later, Bella graduates from high school and discovers that the newborn army is under Victoria’s control. Bella realizes that spending eternity with Edward is more important than anything else and happily accepts his marriage proposal. Bella, Edward, and Jacob then camp in the mountains in preparation for battle with the newborn army. The next day, the wolves and vampires fight the newborn army and manage to kill almost the entire group; However, Victoria successfully flees.
Breaking Dawn Part 1
Breaking Dawn Part 1 begins with Bella and Edward’s wedding. It is set in the woods and heavily decorated with white and pastel-pink flowers, creating a whimsical and ethereal setting. After the wedding concludes, Bella and Edward venture out to Brazil on their honeymoon. During the trip, Bella realizes she is pregnant with Edward’s half-human, half-vampire child. They return to the Cullens’ house and discover that Bella’s pregnancy is progressing at an unnatural rate.
A member of Jacob’s wolf-pack, Sam, decides it is necessary to kill Bella to prevent the impending danger of her supernatural baby on the locals. Jacob, however, separates himself from the pack to defend Bella. As Sam and the rest of the wolf-pack surround the Cullens’ house, Bella discovers that consuming human blood satisfies her weak condition. Shortly after, Bella gives birth to her daughter, Renesmee, which subsequently kills her. But, since Renesmee and Edward bit her, Bella becomes a vampire.
Breaking Dawn Part 2
The final film in the Twilight franchise begins with Jacob imprinting on Renesmee, to Bella’s dismay. The Cullens gather other vampire clans to protect Renesmee from false allegations that caught the Volturi’s attention. Bella begins to learn her abilities as a vampire and trains in preparation to confront the Volturi. The inevitable confrontation leaves the Volturi retreating in fear of their deaths. The film ends with a vision of Edward, Bella, Jacob, and Renesmee living happily together later in their lives.