When looking at theTwilight Saga, it is easy to forget how much it captivated fans with its blend of supernatural elements and teenage romance centered around Bella Swan. At the core of this cultural phenomenon, theTwilightprotagonist’s transition from a regular high school girl to a vampire queen sparked adoration and criticism. Despite the franchise’s immense success,Bella Swan has faced significant backlash, often labeled as a poorly written character. But it’s crucial to recognize that Kristen Stewart, the actress who portrayed Bella, did her best with her role.
TheTwilight Sagaalso made household names out of its romantic leads, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. For his part, the Edward Cullen actor has largely shed hisTwilightimage, andPattinson has had a lauded film career, starring in everything from A24 arthouse movies to blockbuster superhero fare, playing the titular superhero himself inThe Batman. It has been impressive watching him grow as an actor, but it seems strange that some fans can’t seem to do the same thing for Kristen Stewart.
The Twilight Protagonist Is Surface-Level Deep & That’s Not Stewart’s Fault
Many arguments debate why Bella Swan doesn’t measure up as a character. To many, Bella seems like a classic “Mary Sue”—a term used for young female protagonists who are overly idealized and lack depth. In the books,Bella is often described as expressionless and unremarkable, seeming to exist mainly for the development of the male charactersaround her. It feels like she doesn’t have much of a personality or any ambitions beyond her romantic interests in Edward Cullen and Jacob Black.
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Bella often comes off as passive and reactive rather than proactive. Her main traits seem to be her clumsiness and her deep, unwavering love for Edward. Compared to the more vibrant personalities of the supporting characters, Bella’s character arc—or lack thereof—can make her seem like a weak protagonist. It feels like she’s there to be the object of male affection rather than an engaging character in her own right. Kristen Stewart’s performance as Bella didn’t escape criticism either.
The role demanded a certain level of restraint and minimalism, which could have contributed to the perception of Stewart’s performance as stilted. Stewart had the tough task of bringing life to a character who wasn’t particularly dynamic or multifaceted. Despite these challenges,she infused Bella with a sense of earnestness and vulnerability, even if it didn’t always resonate with critics.Her performance, though not universally praised, showed her dedication to making the character relatable within the confines of the script.
Transition From Teen Star To Acclaimed Actress
Looking beyondTwilight, Kristen Stewart’s evolution as an actress remains impressive. She’s shown her range and depth in roles that highlight her talent. Especially impressive washer performance inSpencer, where she portrayed Princess Diana with exceptional intensity and nuance.Stewart was a 2022 Oscar Nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role inSpencer. It felt like such a departure from the muted Bella Swan, proving her ability to handle complex and emotionally charged roles.
InLove Lies Bleeding, Stewart continued to break free from herTwilightimage, tackling a role that allowed her to explore darker, more intense themes. The film was critically acclaimed for its raw and gripping storytelling, and Stewart’s performance was noted for its depth and emotional impact. Similarly, inHappiest Season, she demonstrated her comedic chops and ability to handle lighter yet still emotionally resonant material.
Seeing Stewart’s post-Twilightcareer unfold is a testament to her versatility and skill as an actress. She’s effortlessly navigated between indie films and major productions, showing that her talents extend far beyond the role that initially brought her fame. Each new role has allowed Stewart to redefine herself and dispel doubts about her acting abilities.
What’s Next For Kristen Stewart?
Kristen Stewart Will Make Her Directorial Debut
Kristen Stewart went from playing a teenage girl infatuated with a vampire to being an acclaimed actress who has received Oscar nominations. In 2024 alone, Stewart starred in three movies. These include the romantic thrillerLove Lies Bleeding, the post-apocalyptic romanceLove Me, and the road comedySacramento. If anything, the mixture of genres in that single year shows that Stewart is proving time and time again that she is more than just Bella Swan and that she can pull off any role asked of her.
The Chronology of Waterwill mark Stewart’s directorial debut and is based on a script she wrote.
The next movie on the slate for Stewart isThe Chronology of Water, which will show that Stewart is more than just a great actor.The Chronology of Waterwill mark Stewart’s directorial debut and is based on a script she wrote, adapted from writer Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir. The story follows a young woman who finds her voice through writing and her salvation as a swimmer. However, Stewart will only direct the film and has signed Imogen Poots to star in the lead role, with Thora Birch as a supporting star.
Can Bella Swan Be A Great Character?
There Is A TV Adaptation Coming Soon
Two newTwilightseries are in the works, and both are coming to television. Much like the upcomingHarry Potterseries on Max, Lionsgate Television is working on rebootingTwilightas a streaming series and retelling the stories with a new cast and possibly more plot moments from the novels that were left out of the main movies. At the same time, Netflix is working on ananimated series that will be based onMidnight Sun, which is the book that tells the story from Edward’s point of view instead of Bella’s.
Stephenie Meyer herself is attached as a producerto theMidnight Sunanimated series. This could show things from Edward’s point of view in the series, which could show what he sees in Bella. It could allow her not to appear quite so helpless and make her a stronger character, since Edward needs to have a reason to want to be with this human teenage girl. However, this is still a complicated relationship since she is 17, and he is over 100, so making her a “great character” might be complicated.
On the other hand, theTwilightTV series (reported byThe Hollywood Reporter) would be the best chance to improve Bella’s character. The series could possibly work to move her age up a little to remove the stigma of a 100-year-old man dating a teenager. However, it could also make some major changes to the originalTwilight Sagastoryline by strengthening her and giving her more agency in her life rather than making her a prize that Jacob and Edward are battling for. It isn’t impossible, but changes must be made to fix Bella Swan.
The Twilight Saga
The Twilight Saga is a paranormal romance series that ignited a cultural phenomenon. Centering on the forbidden love between ordinary human Bella Swan and the centuries-old vampire Edward Cullen, the saga explores themes of love, loss, and the supernatural. As their relationship deepens, they navigate a world filled with vampires, werewolves, and ancient rivalries, all while grappling with the complexities of their immortal and mortal existences. The series captivated audiences with its blend of teenage angst, forbidden romance, and supernatural intrigue, launching a global franchise that includes films, merchandise, and a dedicated fanbase.
