Edward eventually reveals that he is a vampire – an immortal – but his family, unlike many of his kind, does not drink human blood.
When bloodthirsty predators begin to feed on the unsuspecting Forks locals, the Cullens close ranks to protect Bella from her band of immortal pursuers.
Twilight holds its target audience spellbound as Bella and Edward spend the first hour orbiting one another before succumbing to their desires.
Violence takes place predominantly off screen.
Pattinson looks far too old to pass for 17 (deathly pale make-up cannot hide his stubble) but he generates smouldering screen chemistry with Stewart, who perfectly embodies her heroine’s pluck and naivete.
A subplot involving family friend Jacob Black (Lautner) and his American Indian tribe poses tantalising questions for subsequent films.
