We Need to Start Taking Kristen Stewart Seriously

Can you believe “Twilight” came out almost 10 years ago?!

It cemented Kristen Stewart as a superstar, but… it came at a cost. The saga’s fame was impossible to ignore, and the film’s stars were constantly in the spotlight. Plus, after Stewart and on-screen vampire boyfriend Robert Pattinson announced their real-life romance — it seemed impossible she would ever shake her “Bella Swan” alter ego.

Critics bashed the series, mocking the awkwardness between supposed soulmates Bella and Edward (Pattinson). And seeing as Stewart was only 17 when she shot to fame, the constant attention and pressure stressed her out, to say the least. I mean, think about your awkward years. Now imagine your cringe-worthy outfits or your questionable life choices showing up across every tabloid. Pretty brutal.

But Stewart pushed through, segueing from the mainstream market into more respected indie films, such as Woody Allen’s “Cafe Society” or Olivier Assayas’s “Personal Shopper.” She even won a 2014 Cesar Award – the equivalent of a French Oscar – for her role in “The Clouds of Sils Maria.”

All of those debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, and she’s back again this year with a new credit under her belt. She made her directorial debut this year with “Come Swim.” Directing your own film for the Cannes festival is certainly proof of your skills, at least enough to earn your own name back. 

Stewart’s sure to shake her “Bella Swan” rep with “Come Swim,” a film she says was inspired by an image she couldn’t get out of her head. The image of “a person sleeping contently on the bottom of the ocean floor, and getting such satisfaction from that isolation,” led to come “Come Swim,” the 27-year-old told The Guardian.

Stewart’s been a strong anti-establishment influence ever since, rocking unique, androgynous looks on the carpet that few could pull off – though she totally does. And after splitting from her “Twilight” heartthrob costar, she dated female celebrities  such as St. Vincent and Stella Maxwell, speaking openly about her sexuality — while also preaching the importance of a little privacy.

And she’s not about to slow down anytime soon. She’s got crime drama “Lizzie” – about Lizzie Borden and the infamous 1892 murders – and thriller “Underwater” starring T.J. Miller and Vincent Cassel up next.

So forget about Bella Swan – it’s a new era for Kristen Stewart.