The Twilight saga made household names out of actors like Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. Though the two had already had some notable film roles prior to the series, starring as two halves of a now-famous literary couple elevated their status. Since their starring roles, they've gravitated towards smaller-scale films with the same intimate feel and strangeness of the first Twilight film. Both Stewart and Pattinson have recently made a return to more mainstream cinema, with Charlie's Angels and the upcoming The Batman.
The series also featured actors already well-known for their work outside of the franchise, as well as actors who'd mostly done lower-profile projects. The impressive filmography of the cast is best represented by these ten movies you should check out, whether you're a Twilight fan or not.
Panic Room (2002)
For a look at one of the most noteworthy films early in Kristen Stewart's career, check out Panic Room. Stewart plays the daughter of a single mother played by Jodie Foster. The two move into a large home, complete with... wait for it... a panic room.
When thieves break in, mother and daughter hide out in the panic room and try to plan an escape past the sadistic criminals. David Fincher brings his talent for tension to this 2002 thriller.
The Queen (2006)
Michael Sheen was already pretty well-known before taking on the role of Aro in New Moon. The Queen tells the story of the aftermath of Princess Diana's death and the friction between Queen Elizabeth II and the newly elected prime minister. Sheen plays Tony Blair, showcasing the mix of frustration and affection the PM has for the monarch as the two approach the public response to Diana's death from very different perspectives.
Sheen displays a versatility throughout his career, and this is nowhere more evident than the humanity he infuses into his role as Tony Blair, so stark in contrast to the strange old vampire he plays in the Twilight saga.
Young Adult (2011)
In the Twilight film series, Elisabeth Reaser portrays the matriarch of the Cullen family, Esme. Here she once again plays a gentle mother in Young Adult. Charlize Theron's Mavis returns to her home town in a misguided attempt to win back her high school boyfriend, who is now married with a newborn baby.
Despite being faced with a woman trying to destroy her marriage, Reaser's Beth treats this woman with kindness, as the film makes it increasingly clear that everyone but Mavis seems to understand that she has some serious issues.
Certain Women (2016)
Certain Women consists of three different stories that intersect in small ways. Kristen Stewart's chapter tells the story of a young woman who falls for a teacher from out of town (played by Stewart).
Stewart is perfectly cast in the role; she's quiet, intriguing, and beautiful, but nonetheless it becomes apparent that the grand romance is being envisioned by only one party. The crush that develops might be more about what a beautiful woman from out of town represents than the connection between the two characters themselves. It's a sweet and sad depiction of loneliness, isolation, and unrequited love.
Good Time (2017)
Robert Pattinson has more than shown his range since he played Edward Cullen in Twilight. In perhaps his greatest performance to date he plays Connie, a small-time criminal trying to look out for his mentally handicapped brother.
When a robbery goes wrong and the two are separated, Connie becomes desperate in his search for his brother. The film has the signature frenetic energy of the Safdie brothers' direction and becomes increasingly stressful to watch as things go from bad to worse over and over again.
Personal Shopper (2017)
Kristen Stewart is one of the most interesting actresses working today, and Personal Shopper may be her best role yet. Her characters feel real because each line is spoken with the genuine feeling of a person you might expect to meet in real life. She doesn't perform her roles, so much as inhabits them, using her distinct style to make them her own.
In Personal Shopper, she plays a medium who's recently lost her twin brother. It's a haunting story of grief and loss, and Stewart plays that pain in a raw, understated, yet fully-realized way.
Wind River (2017)
Wind River features two actors who appeared in Twilight: Gil Birmingham, who played Billy Black, and Julia Jones, who played Leah Clearwater. Here, Birmingham plays the grieving father of a young woman just found dead.
Jones plays the ex-wife of the wildlife officer who takes it upon himself to search for the young woman's killer, as both are haunted by the unsolved nature of the death of their own daughter. Both Jones and Birmingham give great performances as two people haunted by grief and mourning.
A Simple Favor (2018)
In A Simple Favor, Anna Kendrick plays a suburban mom who gets involved in the messy life of Blake Lively's mysterious Emily.
Stephenie, played by Kendrick, is determined to discover what becomes of her friend when she disappears suddenly, leaving her with her young son. Both the film and Kenrick's performance balance comedy with the drama of the situation, and make for a film that's incredibly entertaining.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)
After a successful career as a child actress, Dakota Fanning had begun to transition to more adult roles when she played Jane in New Moon. Since the series ended, she's been in many things, most recently Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, one of the best films to come out of 2019.
Fanning plays a young woman living on Spahn Ranch. Though her appearance is brief, her surly performance stands out, even among an all-star cast.
The Lighthouse (2019)
The Lighthouse follows the two men as they descend into insanity while stuck on an island running a lighthouse. It's bizarre, funny, and unsettling.
Pattinson stars opposite Willem Dafoe, and the two are riveting to watch as they essentially scream at each other for two hours. It's another role that shows Pattinson's range and willingness to be very strange.