twilight is a 2008 american romantic fantasy film based on stephenie meyer's 2005 novel of the same name. directed by catherine hardwicke, the film stars kristen stewart and robert pattinson. it is the first film in "the twilight saga" film series. this film focuses on the development of the relationship between bella swan (a teenage girl) and edward cullen (a vampire), and the subsequent efforts of edward and his family to keep bella safe from a coven of evil vampires.