Braving the Twilight hours…
For the last year, as most know, the Twilight series rose in popularity, gathering a cluster of women from all ages in their growing fan club. I sat back and watched, metaphorically speaking, as the hordes kept sweeping the nation, obsessed with a forbidden romance, though for centuries we’ve seen the grip forbidden love has had on people, yet for some reason an average story has the hearts of countless women. The grip however ranges from those who just watch the movie once a day to those wearing the insignia on their underwear.
I, personally, have never had any interest in the Twilight fad. At first because everyone liked it, which immediately puts me off. I like to be different and hold my head up high when girls almost hyperventilate when they realize I’ve never done something and now…not having watched the Twilight movies. So, my first inclination was to not like it, even though I’d never seen it.
But then I read very useful articles such as : Eclipse : An Ideal Romance, Abstaining from the Madness, and How Twilight is Revamping Romance.
Then, after considering the entirety of the subject, I decided to watch the first movie, so I would be able to finalize my objections. And while I’m on the subject of objections…I read on her Wikipedia page that Stephenie Meyer likened her book with having been inspired by Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery, among other classics of literature! For what it’s worth, I didn’t see any supernatural men falling in love with Anne, who is the opposite of Bella; charming, talkative, and completely fascinated with life.
After having Mom verbalize her trust that I wouldn’t turn into a “fanpire” I viewed the movie on You Tube. I have seen the plot before, though, minus the undertone that the leading man has a thing for the heroine’s blood.
As a movie, it was, at times, corny. There are a few moments where I thought Bella was surprisingly refreshing as a heroine, mostly due to the fact that she trips and acts like the average girl, which is probably what captures most girls’ attention. Lined up against the wall with other movies, it isn’t out of the ordinary in the fact that the romance is selfish - on Bella’s part, and that a real eternity exists yet they choose to live their life on their terms.
And for the record, as for ‘promoting abstinence’, I felt that during that particular scene, when Edward throws himself across the room after kissing her, that he is not removing himself from the act of premarital sex, but trying not to kill her. If he was sure he wouldn’t kill her, I feel like they would’ve went ahead and… *ahem* you know, since he did end up spending the night in her bed anyway he obviously didn’t think about it being too sensual.
But in the light that Twilight is receiving globally, I feel that it can be dangerous for young girls and as it seems - their mothers. Yet all movies, with the exception of a few truly clean films, can become distractions when they become more than a two hour plot line. When anything takes our eyes off of Christ we are vulnerable and when we place something ahead of Him Satan takes his best shots. Twilight is not the only movie that has stirred hearts in the wrong direction. When we have an obsession towards something, whether is be Edward Cullen or our own personal glory, it becomes dangerous. We are all sinners, easily swayed by the smallest thing, but the thing that defines us from the world is that we have a Saviour, one who is more powerful than our sinful nature, and can save us from it.
After having seen it, these are my conclusions…it is an ordinary movie with a plot line that straddles others before it, with the exception of vampires and werewolves. I do not feel the need to watch this movie again, and I am a romantic, so that tells you something.
But what is more, I do not believe Twilight is at the very heart of the problem, but our own hearts. We choose to let it control us or not. Sure the movies have helped in that area, but we take what is in them and decide to let them run rampant for a while.
By: ThePainter | Biblical Living, Movie Reviews, My Soapbox



Thanks for writing! I read another article today that really put the nail in the coffin (no pun intended) on whether or not I had any interest in Twilight or anything similar. It’s right here if you’d like to read it:
http://www.goodfight.org/a_co_twilight_harrypotter.html
Very good observations, Maggie, and I agree. If we’re not careful of our hearts’ affections, anything can easily become an idol. You’ll have to fill us in sometime.
I wandered here seemingly by accident (though, as you know, nothing is by accident with the Father), and what a rewarding wander it was! This is the best “conclusion” I have ever seen anyone come to about this series. It sums up my feelings exactly.
I, too, have seen the first movie (a friend of mine is a fan). The movie was amusing enough, but I can easily see the danger it holds for many. The sin and flaws were there, as they always are. However, Twilight is not the only movie that toys with our emotions and tempts us to unrighteousness.
Thank you. Your thoughts were extremely refreshing!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Jane Ellen
I have never read the book or the seen the movies. Most of my “school” friends are “fanpires”. I really enjoyed the Eclipse : An Ideal Romance article.
Prayers,
Esther
I agree, completely. It’s so cheesy, anyway! And I don’t totally understand that abstinence thing; I’ve heard it, but in reviews, they plan sex verbally in the proceeding movies, so what are people thinking? Besides, Charles Dickens and Nathaniel Hawthorne are much more thrilling and oh-so-much more worth while reading!
Hi,
I was just wandering and reached this blog accidentally and found this a very good work.
Even I have seen the movie and I agree to the fullest.
Though I come from a different class of audience, I still feel it is a pretty ordinary movie.
Best Regards!
I was wondering if I could use this post for my Good Finds Friday. I link to posts that I have found encouraging this past week and I really enjoyed this article. Thanks
Prayers,
Esther
The whole idea of Stephanie Myers getting inspriation from Anne of Green Gables is just weird! Absurd, really… from the very little I’ve seen or heard of the Twilight Saga, it has nothing to do with Anne Shirley.
Thank you for your perspective Maggie. I have not and will not see any of the films, but when I noticed that even many Christian young people were crazy over the films, I was curious as to what the deal was.
Have a great week sweet friend!
I really appreciate your perception on this. It was informative, yet not dogmatic or legalistic. You left this open for people to make up their own minds without a guilt trip of condemnation. Excellent writing from a conservative perspective. Thank you.