When I consider how I go about connecting with other girls, I realize that I always bring up the Twilight movie series in conversation. There is something about the hilarity of the disjointed storyline, the 2000s nostalgia, and the vampy allure that make the series so interesting. With iconic lines such as “Hold on spider monkey,” and “Bella, where the hell have you been loca?” highlighted in the films, I think of Twilight as a fun series that I always can laugh at with my friends.
However, the discussion gets serious when it comes to defending “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.” As you’ll see, there are certain pros and cons to each, but most girls are firm in their choice. I believe that this team debate is one of the key reasons why girls love Twilight.
Team Edward
As long as I’ve been talking about Twilight with my friends, I’ve heard extensive defense in the case of Edward Cullen. The mysterious vampire love interest, with his pale features, deathly demeanor, and haunting affection for Bella Swan is integral to every part of the series.
Through a judgmental lens, one might ask why a 100-year-old vampire keeps going to high school. Why does he act like he’s quietly choking on a piece of chicken at all times? Because of his creepy stature, one might assume that he is a walking red flag in many ways.
I always wonder why Edward is so alluring to many; my friend, Serenity Orbe illustrates that, “Edward is so emo and perfect for Bella.” Maybe Edward Cullen is so offbeat and “out of the ordinary” that this makes him charming. His behavior is centered around protecting, with all of his energy and thoughts directed at Bella. To some, this may seem obsessive and intense, but to many, it’s endearing and sensitive.
Others are Team Edward simply because the other option, Jacob Black, crossed too many lines. Sofia Barrios says, “I was team Jacob up until he started getting weird about her picking Edward and then imprinting on her daughter. So, really, I only am Team Eddy because of that.” In retrospect, Edward is the main love interest, and it’s quite apparent in the films that Bella and Edward were always going to be endgame.
In every sense, Edward is the character you’d expect the main girl to come running back to. He’s mysterious, morally grey, and obsessed with the main character: so basically the blueprint for any young adult fantasy story!
Team Jacob
Werewolf, motorbike guy, a friend who wants to be something more — all descriptors of Jacob Black. Sanvi Kolluru, a Team Jacob member, explains that the reasoning for being Team Jacob is simple: “He’s not Edward.” Jacob is warm, and Edward is (literally and figuratively) cold. Team Jacob is for Twilight lovers who refuse to buy into Edwards’s vampirish ways.
Jacob shows his affection for Bella through acts of service and is always willing to defend or protect her from the “big bad vampires.” However, Jacob can come off as too standoffish and clingy to Bella in a way that Edward fans simply cannot justify. It seems Jacob has this “nice guy” character that just doesn’t always hit home with girls.
I believe that what girls want to see in a fantasy series is reciprocated pining, and since Bella isn’t totally into Jacob, he comes off as a bit desperate or gives off “pick me” energy. Jacob shows through his actions that he believes himself to be much better than Edward. He is also insistent that Bella doesn’t really want to be with Edward, and I believe it is for these reasons that most girls are not Team Jacob.
But, to conclude, he does have some traits that set him apart from Edward: he isn’t 100-years-old, he doesn’t watch Bella sleep, and he’s played by Taylor Lautner. Those are some pretty big factors to consider!
What Else?
As you can see, some pretty wild and funny events occur in the series, and I’m not even going to explain the cursed-looking demon baby. Most girls giggle about the premise of the films but fall in love with the forest-filled scenery and melancholic soundtrack, as well as the brooding love interests.
Orbe explains that she loves the films because, “It’s so camp, I love the silly blue filter over the movies, the writing is truly impeccable.” Barrios says, “It’s such a fun little story with the right amount of romance and insanity. The vibes are immaculate and the series just brings me back to a better time.” The Twilight movie series is one thing that we can all discuss and bond over. I think girlhood is a lot about finding connection through weirdness, and though some people act like they don’t, we all enjoy some cheesiness when it comes to media.