The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is the third installment in the mega-popular Twilight series, directed by David Slade. Compared to its predecessors, this chapter ramps up the stakes with more action, a stronger love triangle, and the looming threat of a vampire war.

Detailed Summary

The Threat of Victoria

The movie begins with the ongoing menace of Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard), who is still seeking revenge for her mate James’ death back in the first film. To execute her plan, she creates a vampire army of newborns in Seattle, known for being stronger, faster, and more violent than older vampires.

Bella’s Choice

Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is stuck between two worlds. On one hand, she has Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), her vampire boyfriend who wants to marry her before turning her into a vampire. On the other, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), her werewolf best friend, insists she belongs with him—and a human life. This love triangle fuels much of the movie’s tension.

Alliance of Enemies

The Cullens realize Victoria’s newborn army is headed straight for Forks. With danger on the horizon, the unthinkable happens: the Cullen vampires and the Quileute werewolves agree to form a temporary alliance. The uneasy truce creates some of the film’s best tension, as natural enemies must fight side by side to protect Bella.

Training for the Battle

Jasper Hale (Jackson Rathbone), who has experience with vampire wars, trains the Cullens and werewolves to fight newborns. This sequence also sheds light on Jasper’s backstory, including his time as a soldier and how he was turned.

The Love Triangle Intensifies

The romantic triangle reaches its height when Jacob, hurt by Bella’s reluctance, forces her to confront her feelings. The infamous tent scene unfolds during the night before the battle, where Edward and Jacob awkwardly share a truce while Bella sleeps between them. Jacob keeps her warm, leading to uncomfortable but heartfelt confessions.

The Battle with the Newborns

The climactic fight takes place in the mountains near Forks. The Cullens and werewolves fight side by side against Victoria’s army. The newborns are strong but unorganized, while the alliance proves disciplined and effective. The battle scenes mark a sharp increase in intensity compared to the first two films.

Victoria’s End

Edward and Bella face Victoria and her newborn accomplice Riley. With some difficulty, Edward manages to kill Riley, and with help from Seth (the young wolf), he finally destroys Victoria once and for all—bringing closure to the saga’s first major antagonist.

Movie Ending

After the battle, the Volturi arrive late to the fight, revealing that they had no intention of stopping Victoria until they knew the outcome. They execute Bree Tanner, a young newborn vampire who surrenders, cementing their ruthlessness.

Jacob is badly injured during the fight, suffering broken bones after taking on a newborn to protect Leah. In a heartfelt scene, Bella visits him while he’s healing. Jacob makes one last plea for her to choose him, promising her love, warmth, and a life free of darkness. Bella, though deeply moved, ultimately tells Jacob that her heart belongs to Edward.

In the final sequence, Edward and Bella discuss their future. Bella agrees to marry him, fully accepting her choice to become a vampire and leave her human life behind. The movie ends on this note of commitment, setting the stage for the two-part finale, Breaking Dawn.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse does not feature any post-credits scenes. The story ends with Bella and Edward’s engagement and Jacob’s heartbreak, leaving audiences to wait for the next film.

Type of Movie

The film is a romantic fantasy drama with strong elements of action and supernatural adventure. It balances teenage romance with darker themes of loyalty, mortality, and war.

Cast

• Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan
• Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen
• Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black
• Bryce Dallas Howard as Victoria
• Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen
• Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale
• Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale
• Kellan Lutz as Emmett Cullen
• Peter Facinelli as Carlisle Cullen
• Elizabeth Reaser as Esme Cullen
• Dakota Fanning as Jane (Volturi)
• Xavier Samuel as Riley

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Howard Shore, known for his work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Shore’s music adds a darker, more orchestral feel compared to the previous entries. The soundtrack also features artists like Muse, Florence + The Machine, and Metric, giving it a moody alternative-rock vibe that fits the Twilight atmosphere.

Filming Locations

Filming primarily took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with key scenes shot in areas around Squamish and Burnaby. These locations provided the misty forests, rugged mountains, and overcast skies essential for the saga’s moody Pacific Northwest setting. The mountain scenes, in particular, were chosen for their isolation and cinematic backdrop for the climactic battle.

Awards and Nominations

• Won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie
• Nominated for several MTV Movie Awards, including Best Movie and Best Kiss
• Received Teen Choice Awards in categories such as Choice Movie: Liplock and Choice Movie Actor

Behind the Scenes Insights

• David Slade brought a darker tone to the film, wanting it to feel more like a thriller than a romance at times.
• Kristen Stewart had to wear a wig during filming because she had cut her hair short for The Runaways.
• Taylor Lautner bulked up significantly for his role, maintaining his status as the franchise’s fan favorite.
• The tent scene was filmed in freezing conditions, adding to the realism of Bella shivering.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based on Stephenie Meyer’s novel Eclipse. Much of the dialogue and story beats come directly from the book, though the film trims down subplots and side characters for pacing.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Several deleted scenes exist, including extended dialogue between Bella and Jacob, as well as extra moments from the training sequence with Jasper. However, no alternate ending was filmed—Bella’s decision and Victoria’s defeat were always locked in.

Book Adaptations and Differences

• In the book, the love triangle is explored in more detail, especially Bella’s inner conflict over her feelings for Jacob.
• The Volturi’s presence is more pronounced in the film than in the novel.
• Bree Tanner’s character had a larger role in Meyer’s novella The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, but the film only hints at her backstory.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Edward proposes to Bella with his mother’s ring.
• Jacob kisses Bella without permission, sparking one of the series’ most debated moments.
• The training sequence led by Jasper, offering rare insight into his past.
• The climactic mountain battle against the newborn army.

Iconic Quotes

• Jacob: “I’m exactly right for you, Bella. It would be as easy as breathing with me.”
• Edward: “You are the only one who has ever touched my heart. It will always be yours.”
• Bella: “I know who I can’t live without.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The tent scene mirrors dialogue from the novel almost word for word.
• Jasper’s backstory nods to Stephenie Meyer’s fascination with the American South and Civil War history.
• Victoria’s hair is noticeably different due to the casting change from Rachelle Lefevre to Bryce Dallas Howard.

Trivia

• The film grossed over $698 million worldwide, making it the highest-earning film of the Twilight series at the time.
• Bryce Dallas Howard only had three months to prepare for the role of Victoria after the last-minute recast.
• Kristen Stewart’s engagement ring was custom-designed to match the book’s description.

Why Watch?

Because this is the Twilight film where romance and danger collide at full force. It has more action than New Moon and higher stakes than Twilight. If you’re invested in Bella’s choice, Jacob’s heartbreak, and Edward’s devotion, Eclipse is the emotional and dramatic payoff before the series’ finale.

Director’s Other Movies

• Hard Candy (2005)
• 30 Days of Night (2007)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Hunger Games (2012)
• Beautiful Creatures (2013)
• The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)
• Red Riding Hood (2011)
• Warm Bodies (2013)