Awkward Twilight Moments That Were Caught On Camera
The year was 2008: Teenagers all over were falling in love with the idea of vampires and werewolves and pretending to have superpowers thanks to the release of the "Twilight" films. The teen romance flick became an immediate success — especially for a younger audience. Meanwhile, critics had a love-hate relationship with the drama-filled fantasy. The films, which are based on the book series by Stephenie Meyer, are centered on the love story between Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen and the trials and tribulations they go through together. Whether it is being attacked by evil vampire families or a handsome werewolf falling in love with Bella and constantly taking off his shirt, the movie holds a special place in the hearts of many fans.
When the film came out, it seemed like one of the greatest masterpieces ever released in movie theaters. However, looking back now, there are definitely some scenes that feel a bit more awkward to watch now than they did during the film's debut. Since its release, plenty of cringe-worthy moments seem harder to watch as we get older and return to our comfort movies. Keep reading to see our list of some of the most awkward "Twilight" moments caught on camera.
When Bella sees the Cullen family for the first time
The moment that started it all! When Bella, portrayed by Kristen Stewart, first finds out about the Cullen family, she is eating lunch in the Forks High School cafeteria. In this scene, Bella talks with Jessica Stanley, played by Anna Kendrick, and Angela Weber, portrayed by Christian Serratos (via YouTube). Here, she is getting a rundown of who the Cullens are, how they moved to Forks, Washington, from Alaska, and why they act the way they do. Once Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson) walked through the door, however, Bella couldn't keep her eyes off him. What Jessica doesn't know is that Edward and the rest of his family can hear just about everything she says about them. Not only that, but Bella can't stop staring at Edward. Is it because of his attractiveness? It's entirely possible; we felt the same way. Either way, this scene is a bit awkward to watch.
Fans of the "Twilight" saga are obsessed with the love story between Bella and Edward, but what they love even more about it is that they dated in real life, too! Stewart and Pattinson fell in love while on set in 2009 and dated on and off for years until they split in 2012 (via E! Online). People reported that Stewart cheated with director Rupert Sanders, causing a massive scandal. "It was just a fleeting moment that shouldn't have happened," a purported source said following the drama.
When Edward has this dramatic reaction to smelling Bella
This is quite possibly one of the funniest scenes in the "Twilight" saga! As many of you know, Edward Cullen is a vampire with an intense sense of smell and love for blood — and especially that of protagonist Bella Swan. When Bella entered biology class for the first time, she stepped in front of a fan that blew her scent directly toward Edward, all while making direct eye contact with him (via YouTube). To Bella's surprise, Edward immediately reacted with disgust in the most dramatic way possible, making her question if she had some pretty bad body odor that she should look into. Covering his mouth entirely and looking like he was about to throw up all over his desk, Bella was taken aback by his reaction. She awkwardly sat next to him and subtly checked herself for any offending smells. Edward then took the opportunity to sprint out of the classroom as quickly as possible.
In reality, it was later confirmed in the movie that the scent of her blood was too irresistible to him. All we know is that if an attractive male ever made this type of reaction when we walked by, we would probably be mortified for the rest of our lives. Although this scene makes sense as the film goes on and we learn more information about Edward, his vampire abilities, and his lust for Bella's blood, this scene is bizarre — and hilarious.
When Edward sparkles in front of Bella
When the first "Twilight" movie came out in 2008, and this pivotal moment in Bella Swan and Edward Cullen's love story was on the big screen in movie theaters, teenagers and young adults thought this scene was epic. Looking back, it's a bit cringe-worthy, yet we still love it anyway. In the scene, Edward dramatically reveals his vampire abilities to Bella as he steps into the light, and she watches his body sparkle in the sun (via YouTube). However, Bella doesn't respond in the way any ordinary human would. Instead, she ogles him, tells him his body "is like diamonds," and continuously expresses how beautiful he is. We don't know about you, but we think we might have a bit of a different reaction if something like this were to happen with our high school crush.
Naturally, Edward doesn't like this reaction because he keeps expressing to Bella that he is a killer and that she should stay away from him. After telling her that he is "designed to kill" multiple times, Bella responds, "I don't care." Personally, we'd probably start running away as soon as he started throwing massive tree branches everywhere and jumping across giant hills, but Bella doesn't seem phased by any of this. Even when Edward reveals that he had a desire to kill her as soon as he saw her, she responds, "I trust you," as if she didn't just meet him two minutes ago.
When Edward admits to breaking into Bella's house and watching her sleep
This scene was meant to be super romantic, and we are sure when we first watched it back in the early 2000s, it definitely was. Something about it now, however, seems a bit creepy. As Bella Swan and Edward Cullen progress in their relationship, Edward reveals that he has been breaking into her room through her window and watching her sleep over the last couple of months (via YouTube). His reasoning, you may ask? It "is kind of fascinating" to him. Bella seems to be completely mesmerized by this and not at all spooked. Later in this significant, the two share their first kiss, which is a major turning in storyline to experiment if Edward can actually control himself around Bella. Of course, the answer was no, and he dramatically flung himself across the room and into a wall.
Kristen Stewart revealed to The New Yorker that she completely swooned after her "Twilight" audition kiss with Robert Pattinson and that the role had to be his. "[Pattinson had an] intellectual approach that was combined with 'I don't give a **** about this, but I'm going to make this sing.' And I was, like, 'Ugh, same,'" Stewart said. "And, whatever, we were young and stupid and, not to say that we made it so much better, but that's what it needed, and that's what anybody playing those parts needed to feel."
When Jacob kisses Bella after confessing his feelings for her
If you are familiar with the "Twilight" films, then you know of the love triangle between Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, and Jacob Black — portrayed by Taylor Lautner. Jacob and Bella are long-time family friends since her father, Charlie Swan, and his father, Billy Black, are close. When Bella returns to Forks, the two become friends again, and naturally, Jacob falls in love with Bella over time. He confesses his true feelings for her and tries — with a passionate kiss — to convince her to be with him instead of Edward. However, it's incredibly uncomfortable because Bella clearly doesn't want to kiss him; her eyes are open the entire time. She then attempts to punch him in the face but breaks her hand instead.
When filming their first kiss scene, Kristen Stewart revealed to Parade that she was incredibly nervous about kissing Lautner. "One of the most challenging scenes was probably kissing Jacob for the first time," Stewart said. "Bella has got such tunnel vision that Edward is the only thing for her. That's a strange perspective. So when Taylor Lautner and I kissed, it felt like such a different dynamic. I was nervous as hell."
When Edward showed Bella his powers
Throughout the "Twilight" saga, there are many iconic lines that fans love to recite, and this scene features one of them (via YouTube)! When Edward decides it is time to show Bella his flying abilities, he whisks her away through a window at his home and starts to fly, but in the most awkward way we've ever seen. Thus the famous line was born. Edward randomly says, "You better hold on tight, spider monkey," and the rest is history! He begins to fly and climbs to the top of the tallest tree with Bella on his back, and the two sit and look out amongst the most magnificent, computer-generated view of mountains we've ever seen.
It is quite obvious that Edward wasn't flying, but something about this scene is just a bit awkward to watch. Whether it's his stiff body language as he is flying or the fact that we know it is simply not real is still in question. All we know is that the teenage version of ourselves would have been fascinated with the idea of a vampire falling in love with us and trusting us with his powers, so we will continue to love this movie — and this scene — no matter how cringy it is.
How could we ever forget the iconic vampire baseball scene?
The baseball scene in the first "Twilight" movie will go down in history as one of the best and funniest moments throughout all of the films. Here, the Cullen family gets together in a wide-open field during a thunderstorm to play a game of baseball (via YouTube). Naturally, as a family does, they coordinate their outfits and wear matching baseball caps. Typically, you play baseball during a warm sunny day, but vampires apparently need thunder to hide the sound of them cracking baseballs against their bats with super-vampire strength. The entire scene features the family getting competitive with one another and using their intense speed to run laps around the field, trying to win. Everything the family does is amplified and matches with the lightning strikes and thunder rolls, whether they hit the ball with their bats or body-slam into one another as they play. Although this is a great scene, Bella Swan immediately being deemed the role of the umpire since she is merely a human is comical.
When Jacob had to heat up Bella in the most uncomfortable way
The tent scene in "Twilight: Eclipse" is one of the most uncomfortable, tense scenes we have ever witnessed throughout these films (via YouTube). Bella Swan is nearly freezing to death during a blizzard, and Jacob Black is on his way to the rescue, against Edward Cullen's wishes. But why is this scene awkward, exactly? Is it because Jacob fiercely tells Edward, "Let's face it, I am hotter than you," and snuggles up next to Bella completely naked? Possibly. Is it because there is so much history and tension between this never-ending intense love triangle? Also very likely. Whether you are Team Jacob or Edward, this scene of the two of them quietly holding each other for two minutes straight while Edward stands there and watches in despair is incredibly awkward. Especially when Jacob tells Bella that it would be over faster "if you took your clothes off" while making direct eye contact with Edward.
Although this scene is intense, it is one of Lautner's favorites. "It's kind of the first time that the love triangle is all in one spot," Lautner told The Hollywood Reporter in 2012. "It's a very funny scene, it's very awkward. Edward and Jacob go at it for the first time. That's definitely one of my favorites."
Bella and Edward's wedding
The wedding between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen was long-awaited by many "Twilight" fans. Although this scene was beautiful in many ways, like the beautiful "Turning Page" song being played as Bella walks down the aisle and the flowers draping over the couple as they say "I do," there are many awkward moments in this scene that stand out to us (via YouTube). First, dad Charlie Swan looks incredibly uncomfortable as he walks his daughter down the aisle. Neither he nor Bella is smiling or expressing any emotion, which makes it look like he is in agony as he hands his daughter off to get married. The whole scene feels very awkward to watch, especially when Bella and Edward share their first kiss as husband and wife for what feels like forever, with no reaction whatsoever from their wedding guests.
In a 2011 interview with MTV, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson revealed how they felt while filming the wedding scene in the film. "It was very, very emotional for me," Stewart said. "I don't know about these guys." Pattinson later chimed in, saying, "You kind of realize what the groom's position in a wedding is. Which, in reality, is basically a prop. You stand there in a suit, and then everyone is looking at the girl."
When Edward breaks the bed
After Edward Cullen and Bella Swan tied the knot, the two of them jet set to Isle Esme for a romantic honeymoon vacation, which, according to House Beautiful, can be rented out as a lavish villa of your own! In this scene, the couple is first seen skinny dipping in the ocean. They later return to the bedroom for their first time. This scene, at first, seems pretty romantic and typically how most sex scenes in movies go (via YouTube). However, Edward grips onto the headboard with his super strength and literally breaks the bed. The entire headboard comes crashing down around the two, and although this was meant to be incredibly steamy, it feels a tad awkward.
In a 2015 interview with Harper's Bazaar, Kristen Stewart opened up about how she didn't enjoy filming this particular scene with her co-star, Robert Pattinson. "It had to be transcendent and otherworldly, inhuman, better sex than you can possibly ever imagine, and we were like, '****. How do we live up to that?'" Stewart said. "We were so self-consciously aware of that, me and Rob [Pattinson] and the producers. It was agony. Which sucks, because I wanted it to be so good."
When Bella names her daughter Renesmee
Not to be a total hater of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1," but the entire scene of Bella Swan giving birth to her and Edward Cullen's first child is challenging to watch (via YouTube). Right before Bella is about to give birth, she announces to the Cullen family that if her daughter is a girl, she will name her "Renesmee." Although the intention was to combine her mother's name, Renée, and Esme, Edward's mother, the name was not a fan favorite all around. Not because of the sentiment behind it, but mainly because of how corny the names sound when they are put together.
In an interview with Parade magazine (via Glamour), Stewart opened up about how difficult it was to film the childbirth scene and how it may be hard for teens and young adults to watch. "It's PG-13, but it's pretty graphic and bloody. If it is too much for somebody who is younger, then discretion should definitely be used by parents. But it should be impactful, it should be scary," Stewart explained. "You have a story about somebody who has been fighting for what she believes in. Bella is going, 'I'll die for my baby, I'll do anything for it.' I hope it doesn't scare people, but on the other hand, I hope it does."
When Bella transformed into a vampire
The long-awaited moment when Bella Swan finally turns into a vampire has finally arrived (via YouTube). For fans waiting patiently for the time to come for Bella to turn into a vampire over the course of her and Edward Cullen's relationship, this was an intense moment in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1." Looking back, it feels a bit awkward. This is mainly because the entire scene is filled with tension, trying to figure out if Bella will survive after giving birth to her daughter, half-vampire and half-human, Renesmee. We see her body rebuild and change physically while blood replenishes throughout her body as she becomes psychically more potent. As this happens, we are taken through a time-lapse of all of her and Edward's most intimate and special moments together. As awkward as this scene may be at times, it remains one of the most iconic in the "Twilight" franchise.
When Jacob imprints on Renesmee
After Bella Swan gives birth to her half-human, half-vampire baby Renesmee, which nearly killed her, she comes to find out that Jacob Black imprinted on her daughter, which only happens amongst werewolves (via YouTube). This means that Jacob has a strong bond with Renesmee and wants to protect her at all costs the older she gets. However, Bella is not thrilled with this at all. When Jacob explained that "from the beginning, it was Nessie who wanted me there" throughout Bella's pregnancy, she immediately lost her cool after realizing that he gifted her the nickname after the fabled Loch Ness monster. The concept of imprinting is strange, awkward, and all-around weird — and especially on a CGI infant.
For Taylor Lautner, who portrays Jacob, the concept was equally difficult to understand. In a 2011 interview with MTV, Lautner opened up about preparing for this scene and understanding what it meant. "I had to walk into the room with the intention of killing this baby and then stop, twist, and imprint on it, whatever that means," Lautner said. He went on to continue that filming this specific scene was one of the most challenging for him. "I spent a lot of time talking to [director] Bill [Condon] and to [author] Stephenie [Meyer] and asking, 'What exactly does imprinting even look like?' " he said. "It was tough, so I sure hope it comes across alright."
Lastly, when Jacob stripped in front of Bella's dad to show him his powers
Lastly, the moment Jacob Black reveals himself and his powers to Charlie Swan, Bella's father, will forever go down in history as one of the strangest yet most comical scenes in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2." In this scene, Jacob begins stripping off all his clothing while explaining to Charlie that he doesn't "live in the world" he thinks he does (via YouTube). Naturally, Charlie is confused and trying to walk away while pleading with Jacob to put his clothes back on. As soon as Jacob reveals his true self and turns into a werewolf, Charlie has one of the most dramatic reactions by completely flinging himself backward and in pure horror. Overall, this scene is comical but has its corny moments.
Although many fans never seem to have an issue with Taylor Lautner — who portrays Jacob — taking his shirt off throughout the "Twilight" franchise, Lautner actively tried to convince producers to limit how many times he was shirtless in the movies. In a 2011 interview with MTV, Lautner explained how he negotiated less shirtless scenes. "No, it's just so I don't have to freeze to death while I'm filming this movie. I don't know why people don't believe me; it's uncomfortable," Lautner said. "Everybody on set, the crew, the cast are wearing clothes; bundles of clothes. And I'm just chillin' there naked. It's uncomfortable."