
Regardless of personal feelings towards them, it’s hard to ignore the fame and cultural influence that the “Twilight” series and its four follow-ups have enjoyed. Starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling books, these films have amassed a staggering $3 billion globally at box offices. The question of whether they are genuinely good movies remains a hot topic for both critics and audiences, a point that the lead actor, Pattinson, seems to grow weary of discussing. Interestingly enough, “Twilight” might not have existed without “Interview with the Vampire,” the 1994 film directed by Neil Jordan, which was scripted by Anne Rice, the original novel’s author. This movie marked one of the earliest portrayals of vampires as compassionate beings capable of love and desire. Characters like the sensitive Louis (Brad Pitt) and the enigmatic Lestat (Tom Cruise) paved the way for future romantic undead characters, such as those seen in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and eventually Edward Cullen.