For many people, Autumn is more than a season. It represents change, mystery, and adventure, much like Twilight. For me, Twilight was a big deal growing up. Hell, even my name is Bella. The setting, colour palette, and themes make this nostalgic film series the ideal autumn rewatch. For many, these films are comforting, warming, and fun with Twilight’s aesthetics and narrative arc central to that autumnal feel.
Set in the misty evergreen forests of Forks ‘under constant clouds and rain’, the state of Washington naturally embodies the essence of everything autumnal. Frequent rain, fog, and overcast skies make a great home for sun-hating vampires and undeniably create a perpetual feeling of early autumn. There are very few days of sun throughout the Twilight movies, which span about 3 years. Throughout, the fashion is kept cosy, with Bella and Edward consistently long sleeve tops and coats, in muddy brown or mottled blues which add to the cosy feel. As the natural world around the central characters in Twilight barely changes, the stillness of time mirrors the somberness associated with the season which often feels like it never ends.
Twilight‘s Iconic Visuals
Throughout the films (particularly the original directed by Catherine Hardwicke), visual aesthetics are half the reason the films are any good in the first place. The cool, muted tones—greys, deep greens, and earth colours—featured throughout the films, accentuate this autumnal feel. The cool blue camera filters contrast with occasional warm touches, giving the film visuals so much more depth. In the famous ‘possibility’ scene in New Moon, the seasons evolve around Bella, as she sits and waits in her room, longing for Edward’s return.
As the weather and the mood of the film shift, the palette of amber and gold becomes prominent, evoking the imagery of autumn leaves and setting suns. A new dawn begins, and autumn does represent change for us all – as the weather shifts from sunny to solemnly dull. Even the Cullen vampires’ skin tones and makeup design enhance the cold yet mesmerising feel of the season. Vampires thrive in the dark and the cold. Watching Twilight in the autumn, whilst you’re bored to tears due to it being too rainy to go out, is the perfect ‘waste’ of time. Because although the weather may be bad, and seasonal sadness is looming, at least there’s a glimmer of hope that a hot, shimmery vampire might whisk you away.
A Truly Autumnal Franchise
Twilight has a rather melancholic tone. It’s reminiscent of autumn’s fleeting beauty and inherent sadness. Bella longs to be different, not waif girl different, but vampire different. Autumn, the season of change, is mirrored in Bella’s journey throughout the series. Her transformation from human to cold-blooded creature parallels nature’s cyclical transitions. Spiritual introspection is clearly presented in the films. Bella’s emotional and psychological struggles are often viewed in an almost otherworldly manner as her soul is examined before becoming a vampire. Much like how the autumnal seasons invite self-reflection and change before winter’s freezing dormancy.
Autumn is associated with mystery, foggy nights, and the supernatural, which Twilight leeches off. In my opinion, it’s the best season. It’s got Halloween, it’s the time for cosy clothing but it’s also quiet. Everything dies down a little, and people hide away. Autumn is the perfect time for the quiet, suspenseful moments which the film evokes within the eerie calmness of autumn evenings. The forest is a place of mystery and danger, where supernatural creatures dwell—perfect for autumn’s associations with the unknown. But the autumn is also both comforting and melancholy, much like the romance between Bella and Edward. With its mix of overcast skies but natural beauty, there’s a sense of something ending, and something new starting, making the perfect metaphor for Bella’s transition into a new life, as she leaves everything behind.
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Rewatching the Twilight films during the Autumn heightens the experience for me as it syncs with the seasonal mood, in a way no other childhood favourite does. Walk around the woods with the soundtrack playing in your ears, dress in a Carhartt coat, and longingly gaze out your window. Wrap up warm because Autumn is back, baby, and so is the Twilight season.