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Twilight

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Teen fans will love faithful -- if uneven -- adaptation.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, family relationships

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Role models:

    Bella is mature and smart, but she can also be dependent and fragile. Edward is respectful and gallant, though often somewhat angsty. Contemporary Native Americans are featured respectfully.

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Bella and Edward's relationship sends a somewhat mixed message to teens -- it's chaste and loving, but it could also be perceived as obsessive. The Cullens are a very loyal family, and they strive to rise above their baser vampire instincts.
  • Violence:

    A lot of the violence is implied: There are fast shots of vampires right before they kill their prey (both human and animal). A group of guys follows Bella down a dark alley and starts harassing her; Edward threatens them. A predatory vampire tries to kill Bella. There's a bloody, vicious fight between an evil vampire and the Cullens. Bella is seriously hurt and ends up in the hospital. Charlie, a sheriff, has weapons, including a shotgun.
  • Sex:

    As in the book, Bella and Edward have an intensely romantic (though overall fairly chaste) relationship. They stare and gaze at each other lovingly and share some passionate embraces and a couple of kisses, including one make-out session that takes place on a bed while Bella's in her underwear. Other couples flirt, hold hands, and swoon at each other.
  • Language:

    Incredibly mild for a PG-13 film, just like the book: "repulsive," "vile," "dammit."
  • Consumerism:

    Brands featured include Volvo, Hummer, Mercedes, Mac, BMW, Lays potato chips, Body Glove, and Southwest. Most appearances are subtle, though Edward's Volvo has some big moments.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    No drinking or smoking by underage characters. Bella's dad and his friend stock up with cans of beer for an afternoon together but aren't actually shown drinking them. Bella gives her dad an unopened can of beer in one scene.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Twilight was written by Sandie Angulo Chen

Parents need to know that this adaptation of author Stephenie Meyer's youth culture phenomenon Twilight was one of the most anticipated movies of 2008. Millions of kids 10 to 18 have read the books, and many more are familiar with them. Like the novel, the film features an intense romantic relationship between a gorgeous vampire and a human girl. There are a few kisses and several stares, hand touches, and embraces. One make-out session takes place on a bed with the girl in her underwear, but it's abruptly stopped. The movie's violence is mostly implied, but there's one particularly disturbing scene involving vampires, blood, a bitten human with a broken limb, and the destruction of an evil vampire. Language and drinking aren't issues; product placement is mostly limited to cars -- Volvo, Hummer, Mercedes, etc.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the various themes that have made the books such a huge success: first (and forbidden) love, restraint in getting intimate, everlasting and unconditional romance, and heart-thumping adventure. 
  • Do you think Bella is a good role model for teen girls? Why or why not? Do you think she and Edward have a healthy relationship?
  • If you've read the book, did the film meet your expectations? What changes were good for the film? What scenes did you miss from the novel?
  • Why do you think the books and the movie have inspired such fanatical devotion? For more talking points, check out our article.
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More on Twilight

What’s the Story?

TWILIGHT is based on Stephenie Meyer's bestselling young adult novel that's hooked millions of tween girls (and their mothers). Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is a smart, mature teenager who moves from sunny Phoenix to live with her father, Charlie (Billy Burke), in the rainiest city in the country -- tiny Forks, Wash. At school, Bella encounters five gorgeous, aloof, alabaster-skinned siblings. One of them, auburn-haired Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), is assigned as her science partner, and soon Bella starts crushing on the mysterious, charming, super-strong guy. He likes her, too -- in fact, he'd love nothing more than to suck her blood, because he's a vampire. But unlike most evil undead, Edward and his family are "vegetarians" who stick to animal blood in order to live among humans. Can a human girl and a vampire boy overcome his kind's thirst for blood and find true love?

Is It Any Good?

Director Catherine Hardwicke nails the teen emotions and relationships, and she stays surprisingly faithful to the novel. But while the Bella-Edward romance is appropriately swoony, other parts of the film are quite schlocky and even unintentionally funny (like Edward's facial expressions at his first whiff of Bella's intoxicating scent). While some of the supporting cast is spot-on (Ashley Greene is pixie-ish and graceful as prescient vampire Alice, and Burke's Charlie is exactly the kind of loving-but-hands-off father Meyer describes), other characters -- like Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) and Rosalie (Nikki Reed) -- are reduced to one note. In Rathbone's case, he's a statue with overly gelled locks and a permanent look of irritation that got many laughs. But cosmetic issues aside, most of the characters -- right down to the villainous vampires led by James (Cam Gigandet) -- act like their counterparts in the novel.

From Edward's shiny silver Volvo and Bella's beat-up red truck to the glittery meadow scene, the lullaby and the longing looks, Hardwicke and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg have included most of the book's essential details. But moviegoers who have no idea why so many girls in the audience are wearing "Team Edward" tees will find aspects of the film silly and superficial. Clearly, the real story is the Bella-Edward romance, and in that respect the film should appease hardcore Twilighters (the on-screen kisses are even more passionate than in the book). Stewart does Bella justice with her constant clumsiness and her serious gazes. Pattinson is dreamy and intense, although it would've been better had the British actor perfected a more refined American accent. When the star-struck couple first leaps through the trees together or kisses, brace yourself for applause and giddy shrieks. Those who don't mind teen love served with a side of cheese (and bloodlust) will enjoy it. And no matter what, it's going to be an absolute must-see for the series' teen-vampire-adoring fans.

Movie Details

Studio: Summit Entertainment, Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Run time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/21/2008, DVD release: 3/21/2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Ok for tweens and teens

    I am not a huge fan of Twilight. I read the books and they were ok. The movie is ok too. But im not obsessed with it and i really hate this mania going around about it. Everyone at my school talks about it and it gets annoying. But if you are a Twilight fan, then you will love it.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    a little concerned for a kid like me

    i luv twilight but yea it can be kinda of iffy because of when the were making-out (:&) eeww but at that part my mom said: "close your eyes" cause i was 9 when i saw it but i told her that when i read the book it isnt as bad as it is { team bella }

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    I luv Twilight

    I absolutely loved the movie! Me and my friends love it! As you can see by my username Im a really big Twilight fan! I thought this movie was great and approite! { Team Edward }

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative role models

    Decent movie but no role models for my girls

    I have two girls. I would hate for either of them to model after Bella's weak & easily influenced character. The book and movie show her to be extremely vulnerable, even though she's supposed to be book smart. She makes decisions on emotion purely and without much logic at all. Not a role model for my kids.

  5. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    TWLIGHT SAGA NEW MOON WAS MY LIFe"""

    i really lOve diz movie. I think itz time tO changE d wOrld upsidE dOwn ay..

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    newmoonwolves:)

    I think it was a great movie. Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner were great and overall a kid frendily movie. Not too much violence and just an overall great movie. Stop being harsh on Twilight.

  7. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

  8. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    Not so good.....

    I didn't see this until I had nothing else to watch, so I gave in. Thinking it may have been worth it from people's reviews, it was just awful! A total snooze fest. Acting was super bad and the storyline was VERY boring! Kristen Stewart was not suited to play Bella at all, she's too frigidy & emotionless. It's just way too overrated. I think the younger crowd likes it only because of the "hot" actors which are hyped up by the media and the idea of vampires. Not appropriate for under 13 I'd say..gives all the wrong messages to the youngsters. 2 thumbs down!

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0

    Where's the book?

    Ummm, can we say somewhat NOT like the book?

  10. I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Mostly faithful to book, ages 12+, mature 9-11 year olds

    A mostly favorable movie. Concerns include an intense romance between Bella and Edward, an embrace-and-kiss, and a mild sexual scene where they kiss and Bella's underwear is seen. Also a violent sequence with screaming and blood. Characters drink legally.

  11. I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Mostly faithful to book, ages 12+, mature 9-11 year olds

    A mostly favorable movie. Concerns include an intense romance between Bella and Edward, an embrace-and-kiss, and a mild sexual scene where they kiss and Bella's underwear is seen. Also a violent sequence with screaming and blood. Characters drink legally.

  12. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    it was ok... the book was a LOT better.

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    a failure!

    personally, i think this movie was made to look better than it really is. its unrealistic, and kristen stewart is a HORRIBLE actress. in my opinion, it was such a failure kids aged ten and up can see it. the only relatively violent scene is when james attacks bella. she gets a large piece of glass stuck in her skin and james snaps her leg in two, which can be scary to watch for younger kids. on the whole, i state it a pretty big failure and is ok to watch for kids ten and up.

  14. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Good for older kids

    Better for mature tweens and teens. Some parts are sexual like kissing. And the violence is pretty scary. I covered my eyes at the movie.

  15. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    10 and older! 9 is okay but not great for a little kid to see it!

    great can't explain but its a must see movie!

  16. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great for 10+

    I love this movie.... I thought it was good for a person my age and above. I know adults and people younger than me have enjoyed this movie/book.

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Best Movie Ever!

    The best movie ever! This awesome film is so cool! I absolutely loved this movie. Although I have to admit the violent scenes can be well, violent, and one scene includes Bella and Edward kissing, Bella in her underwear. Other than that, it is the best movie ever!

  18. I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Ok for 9+, but really ideal for 13+.

    I did like the movie Twilight, it was not very kid-friendly though. There was some parts that kids my age aren't supposed to do yet. I would have to say that this movie did not have major violence until the end. James bit Bella on the wrist and there was some blood and gore. Also James dug his fingernails into Bella's leg and that would show blood and gore as well.

  19. I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Ok for 9+, but really ideal for 13+.

    I did like the movie Twilight, it was not very kid-friendly though. There was some parts that kids my age aren't supposed to do yet. I would have to say that this movie did not have major violence until the end. James bit Bella on the wrist and there was some blood and gore. Also James dug his fingernails into Bella's leg and that would show blood and gore as well.

  20. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    An OK Movie

    I was not a big fan of this movie. The first time I saw it i didn't mind it. Then it got really popular and anoyed me. I wouldn't say I hated it but it wasn't my type of movie.

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