Kristen Stewart, known for her role as Bella Swan in the iconic “Twilight” saga, recently shared her reflections on the movie franchise, suggesting that it carries undertones that resonate with the LGBTQ+ community. In an interview with Variety, the openly gay Oscar nominee discussed how she perceives the vampire-themed love story through a queer lens.
Stewart acknowledged that while “Twilight” might not have initially intended to be a queer narrative, she now sees it as “such a gay movie.” She pointed to the central characters played by herself, Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen), and Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black), saying, “I mean, Jesus Christ, Taylor and Rob and me, and it’s so hidden and not OK.”
The actress emphasized that the essence of “Twilight” aligns with themes of LGBTQ+ experiences, describing it as “all about oppression, about wanting what’s going to destroy you.” She found a connection to the narrative’s Gothic and gay inclination, expressing her appreciation for the intertwining of these elements in the story.
Stewart’s perspective adds an intriguing layer to the cultural impact of “Twilight,” a series adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s books. While Meyer’s original narrative doesn’t feature explicitly LGBTQ+ characters, the franchise became popular within the LGBTQ+ community for various reasons, including the allure of its beautiful characters.
In 2018, a decade after the first film’s release, a “Twilight” resurgence occurred on social media, with fans, often referred to as Twihards, exploring the possibility of LGBTQ+ identities for the characters. Stewart’s recent comments align with this retrospective view, where she acknowledges the latent queer undertones that have become apparent over time.
The actress admitted that her perception of “Twilight” as a ‘gay movie’ is something she can only fully see now, suggesting that while it might not have started that way, the queer elements were subtly present and have gained visibility with hindsight. Kristen Stewart’s openness about her own sexuality and her interpretation of the movie adds a new dimension to the ongoing discussions around the cultural impact and resonance of “Twilight” within the LGBTQ+ community.
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