Robert Pattinson addresses longstanding backlash over twilight in a candid interview, calling criticism of the vampire saga “judgemental” and “outdated

Robert Pattinson, the star of Twilight, has finally responded to the enduring criticism that the film franchise “ruined the vampire genre.” Speaking in an interview with GQ Spain, the English actor addressed claims from horror fans and pop culture critics, dismissing the controversy as outdated.

“I love that people keep telling me, ‘Man, Twilight ruined the vampire genre,’” Pattinson remarked. “Are you still stuck on that s*****? How can you be sad about something that happened almost 20 years ago? It’s crazy.”

Pattinson added that many of the loudest critics of the franchise haven’t even watched the films. “The people who don’t like it are generally people who haven’t seen it. They’re all judgemental and cynical. And to be honest, I’m a pretty judgemental and cynical person too, so I get it. But it’s funny to hate something you’ve never even experienced.”

The Batman star also reflected on the franchise’s massive popularity, saying it baffled him even during its peak. In a 2019 Variety interview, he admitted, “I mean, Twilight is a weird story. It’s strange how people responded to it. They’re very romantic films, but not in a traditional way like The Notebook. It’s about a guy who falls in love with a girl but also wants to eat her—or drink her blood, whatever.”

Pattinson didn’t shy away from describing how peculiar he found the plot while filming. “I was pretty open about how strange I thought it was when I was promoting it. Even as I worked on it, I thought it was a weird story. But at the same time, I found parts of it romantic and even charming in a bizarre way.”

The actor, who played Edward Cullen, a brooding vampire smitten with Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan, revealed that he initially wanted to approach the first film with an artistic lens. “I tried to make it as arty as possible,” he said. However, the studio had different ideas, steering the movie towards a more commercial tone.

Released in 2008, Twilight became a global phenomenon, propelling both Pattinson and Stewart to superstardom. Yet, the franchise has long been polarising, with many horror fans criticising its portrayal of vampires as glittering and romantic, a far cry from their traditionally fearsome image.

Despite the backlash, Twilight remains culturally significant, inspiring passionate fandoms and endless debates. Pattinson’s comments signal that he has made peace with the legacy of the franchise. “It’s weird that people are still so upset about it after all these years,” he quipped.Now a critically acclaimed actor known for roles in The Lighthouse, Tenet, and The Batman, Pattinson has successfully distanced himself from his Twilight roots while embracing the quirks and controversies of his early career.