Rules Vampires Have To Follow In Every Twilight Movie

With a cult following from the beginning, it's no surprise that the "Twilight" film franchise has found new popularity among TikTok users. Based on the four-part saga by Stephenie Meyer, the five fantasy-romance films spawned a decade of memes about how "real vampires don't sparkle."

Dubbed "The Cold Ones" by the Quileute tribe of werewolves, the "Twilight" vampires take a detour from the classic vampire tropes. They've been compared to essentially every beloved onscreen fanged character, from the rebellious hair metal biker vampires of "The Lost Boys" to the monstrous faces of the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" villains. The Cullen family and their peers also stray from the appearance of classic vampires like Dracula, though at their core, still hit the moral themes about repressed sexuality associated with tales of bloodsucking cryptids.

The "Twilight" vampires follow their own set of rules, much to the dismay of vampire purists. So, what are those rules?

Like any run-of-the-mill vampire, the "Twilight" vampires must feed on blood to survive. However, the Cullen family is unique because they are considered "vegetarians." Not in the traditional sense, of course, but they choose to only drink the blood of animals, as it's morally wrong to kill humans.

There are a few other vampires who subscribe to this lifestyle, though it's uncommon among vampires in this universe. Human blood is the most appetizing, and their instincts can be suppressed but never stopped. Whenever clumsy Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) sustains a skin-breaking injury, for example, temptation quickly rises and the Cullens struggle to leave her alone. Their vegetarian lifestyle is always an active choice, and it's not an easy one.

In keeping with vampire traditions, going without blood causes physical and mental deterioration. Because it's their only nutritional requirement, it's a necessity. The Cullens live in a wooded area where they have unlimited access to wild animals and the ability to feed undetected.

The smell and taste of human blood vary, appealing to some vampires more than others. Bella's blood is what draws Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) to her. "I wanted to kill you," he tells her. "I've never wanted a human's blood so much in my life."

Unlike other vampires, these Cold Ones don't have fangs. Their teeth are still a deadly weapon, but they lack perhaps the most obvious visual signifier that they're vampires.

Unfazed by garlic, holy water, crosses, silver, and wooden stakes, the "Twilight" vampires are virtually indestructible. They don't need an invitation to enter one's home, and they can enjoy as much Italian food as they'd like. Bullets bounce off them. Not even sunlight can stop them. Most vampires are nomadic, but the Cullens' home in Forks, Washington is ideal given its constant rain and overcast skies. The sun's rays may not pose danger to them, but they must be wary of humans seeing their glittering pale skin and exposing their existence.

Most movie vampires can be hunted by humans, but in this universe, their number one threat is other supernatural entities. To kill a vampire in "Twilight," one must dismember and burn them before their detached body parts can reconstruct themselves. Additionally, they can be killed via beheadings.

They may be difficult to kill, but if humans were aware that they lived among the undead, it could become more complicated.

To blend in with humans, vampires have to go through the motions of breathing. Their supernatural abilities knock out the need to breathe, meaning they can swim underwater for as long as they want to and never tire after running more than 100 miles per hour. It's a powerful skill, but raises questions for any witnesses.

For most vampires, breathing is a habit, so the façade isn't hard to maintain. For Bella, though, it's a struggle. She has to consciously breathe to fool her peers and her father, who are increasingly concerned with her odd behavior.

Breathing, along with avoiding sunlight and partaking in normal human activities, is necessary for the vampires to avoid being othered and persecuted. They never age and never die, so fitting in is one of the most important survival skills for them to follow — especially brushing off comments about their ice-cold skin and golden irises.

The vampiric society of "Twilight" is ruled by the Volturi, a large coven of leaders who work tirelessly to prevent humans from discovering their existence. They create and enforce strict laws to ensure their privacy and are portrayed as the main antagonists in the film. However, some fans have questioned whether or not they were the bad guys for mercilessly protecting their constituents.

As established, the number one rule vampires must follow is to never reveal their supernatural abilities to humans. The Cullen family has a history of breaking this rule, and the conflict of the franchise revolves around Edward and Bella's relationship, which is forbidden by the Volturi. Her transformation into a vampire somewhat satisfies their demands but is not enough once they have a baby.

If the Volturi's crucial rules to uphold the secrecy of vampires aren't followed, certain death is guaranteed. The "Twilight" vampires may have a different set of rules than most bloodsuckers, but at their core, they still abide by some traditional guidelines.