Cast your mind back to 2008, when the first film adaptation of the Twilight franchise was released and changed the world as we know it. It was one of the biggest pop culture moments of the year, perhaps of our entire lives, and ten years on, it’s making a comeback.
In honour of the anniversary of the film’s release (October 5), the fandom has come out of the woodwork and brought the film back into the internet spotlight. Welcome to the Twilight Renaissance. What a time to be alive.
Twilight-related content is all the rage across Tumblr and Twitter and spreading like wildfire across the internet, with a slew of entire new accounts being made in tribute to the resurgence.
It’s mostly an endless internet hole of glorious memes that you can easily fall into and waste hours/days as you please.
To get us all up to speed, here’s what you need to know about the Twilight Renaissance.
#1. We love it.
This is crucial.
when there's a twilight renaissance occurring bc of the 10 year anniversary pic.twitter.com/ZkIYu2xdWU
— good omens love mail (@archistrateges) October 17, 2018
#2. Pretty much all Twilight-related content is welcome.
Book, movie, fanfiction – anything goes.
https://twitter.com/lipgIosse/status/1050453199436570625
#3. No Twilight fandom shaming allowed.
Back in the noughties the majority-young-female Twilight fandom was belittled for the silliness of our enthusiasm. I had a home-made Edward Cullen shirt I wore to two showings of the Twilight premiere on the opening day and I’m not ashamed to say that now. But in the aftermath of the initial hype, us Twi-hards were put down for our passion.
Well, to all the boys who protested that “Twilight ruined Comic-Con“, your judgment is boring and conceited and so are you. Thank you and goodbye.
The Twilight Renaissance is an opportunity for those who felt shamed ten years ago, to unapologetically reclaim their infatuation with the Twilight franchise.
#4. Everyone agrees that Bella and Edward are categorically idiots.
#5. There’s a widely accepted fan theory that Bella Swan is gay.
#6. And/or that everyone is gay
#7. Or alternatively, Bella was so irrationally thirsty for Edward that it seriously clouded her judgment.
I feel you girl.
#8. Hard hitting fan theories, conspiracies, plot holes and the like are all welcome.
https://twitter.com/abisnailsfenton/status/1052168704233009153
#9. Love is not blind
It’s important to note that this is not blind adoration for the film or book franchise. It is critical. We know the film is bad. We know the book is bad. No one is special or clever or superior for saying they are bad, that is news to literally no one.
But the Twilight fandom is a glorious fandom who has mastered the art of being critical without losing a sense of humour. You can have a little love for some nostalgic pop culture texts that you know have flaws, if you just acknowledge those and keep on keeping on.
#10. There are sub-communities of dedication to just about every character
Something for everyone!
#11. Except Jacob.
Jacob sucks.
So lean into the Twilight Renaissance and let your inner-2008-Fanpire out to play, because now is your time.