10 Kristen Stewart Movies You Need to See that Aren't Twilight

It's time to get real. As a years-long fan of Kristen Stewart (who recently came out as 'not hiding'), it's getting super aggravating trying to explain that the Twilight films are not the be-all and end-all of her acting career. There is a world outside of Forks, Washington where Kristen still exists, and in that world she's actually starring in a bunch of fascinating, often acclaimed films that are challenging, powerful, and having absolutely nothing to do with vampires and werewolves. Yes, since we're being honest, to put it gently (and minimally), the Twilight Saga is not a masterpiece. But Kristen really is doing some wonderful work in films like American Ultra, which came out yesterday and features her in a totally killer role. So if you're planning on getting into it with a K-Stew super-fan, take a moment to educate yourself on exactly what you're missing out on. Sure, Kristen has an unavoidably unique style, but it's one that, when it works, it works so well. And thus, here's your basic starter guide to Kristen Stewart's best films so far. It's time you truly got to know the work of...

10. Panic Room (2002)

It's not really a "fun fact" anymore that Kristen Stewart played Jodie Foster's daughter in the awesomely anxiety-inducing thriller Panic Room, but it is a fact we fondly remember and a movie that can be enjoyed over and over. Ah, those were the days. The days when people didn't judge Kristen Stewart based on Twilight, because Twilight did not exist. 

9. Speak (2004)

The still-quite-young Kristen played the lead in Speak, the movie based off the novel many of us may remember as a school assignment. Speak sometimes makes the rounds on the Lifetime Channel, so save that one for a rainy day. It can be a tough movie to watch, especially because of Kristen's captivating and complicated performance as a victim of sexual assault struggling to deal with the aftermath. 

8. The Messengers (2007)

The essence of angsty teen K-Stew is captured perfectly in The Messengers, a splendid little horror film about a girl whose new family home is haunted. No one believes her when she tries to tell them what's up, which is also a great metaphor for what happens when I try to talk to people about how great Kristen Stewart is.

7. Adventureland (2009)

Kristen is once again in fine, angsty form in Adventureland, but this time she's angsty in the '80s. This was a moment where Kristen further proved that no one could nail that specific brand of teen intensity quite like she could, and that she was an asset to that type of energy. Of course she has many other energies, but this particular one is simply classic. 

6. Camp X-Ray (2014)

Camp X-Ray was Kristen's first official post-Twilight Saga film, and she couldn't have 180-ed more. In the film, she plays a soldier stationed at Guantanamo Bay who ends up forming a complicated bond with one of the inmates. With Camp X-Ray, Kristen proved she could leave Bella Swan and her signature teen angst vibe behind her and take on more adult roles. She phased forward beautifully.

5.  The Runaways (2010)

Kristen Stewart plays Joan Jett, and she plays her so well that Joan Jett herself praised her for it. Do you need to know more? No. 

4. Welcome to the Rileys (2010)

Kristen stars with James Gandolfini and Melissa Leo in Welcome to the Rileys as a distubed teen stripper who reminds James' character of his daughter who died in a car crash. The two end up striking an unlikely friendship, and we ended up stricken by how masterfully Kristen took on the intricate role. 

3. Still Alice (2014)

Kristen co-stars as the daughter of a woman with early-onset Alzheimers in Still Alice, a movie so powerful that Julianne Moore even picked up an Oscar for playing the title role. Because of its deeply emotional subject matter, Still Alice can be a difficult movie to handle, but if you're up for it it's certainly a worthwhile watch with an incredibly first-rate performance from Kristen. 

2. American Ultra (2015)

In American Ultra, Kristen plays the girlfriend of a stoner/CIA experiment who gets into a whole lot of trouble. The stakes are as high as these characters are, and every choice Kristen makes is an undeniable highlight, not to mention it's awesome to see her hella kicking some bad guys' butts. In fact, we'd appreciate at least 5 sequels. Right now. Thanks.

1. Clouds of Sils Maria (2014)

Kristen is so damn good as an aging actress' dedicated assistant in Clouds of Sils Maria that she literally was the first American actress to win Frances' Cesar Award.  So there you go. Kristen's off making history and people are still complaining that she runs her hands through her hair too much. Just live and let Kristen Stewart live, okay? Please?

Bonus: This music video, because it is amazing. 

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