Which of these KStew films would be the top of your list?
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY A24
Kristen Stewart is an openly queer actor with a diverse range of acting credits to her name. She’s been cast in big franchises as well as indie films, and her work spans different genres. This year we’re also getting to see what she can do behind the camera. To celebrate the UK release of her feature directorial debut, The Chronology Of Water, we’re taking a look back on some of her roles and ranking them on sapphic energy.
Spencer (2021)
In this film, Kristen Stewart delivers a great performance as Princess Diana in this psychological thriller. When this role earned Kristen an Oscar nomination in 2022, she and fellow queer actor Ariana DeBose made queerstory. It was the first year two openly LGBTQIA+ actors had been nominated within the acting categories. It was also a long-overdue break in the streak of no openly queer actors being nominated.
While Spencer is by no means a queer film, its theme of someone searching for liberation while living in an oppressive environment has certainly resonated with LGBTQIA+ audiences.
The Twilight Saga (2008-2012)
While this paranormal franchise doesn’t feature any queer stars, fans have shipped Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan with Alice Cullen from the beginning. This is probably why sapphic fans got excited when KStew seemed to show an interest in directing a reboot of the films. Back in 2024, the star also told Variety that she feels the franchise has queer undertones.
Charlie’s Angels (2019)
In the lead-up to the release of this film, people coined the term “Charlie’s Gayngels” due to the “big gay energy” KStew was serving up in the trailer. Kristen’s character was easily the best part of this reboot, but this is by no means the queerest role she’s ever taken on.
Lizzie (2018)
Kristen Stewart and Chloë Sevigny share the screen in this historical psychological thriller. This axe-wielding film rewrites the infamous Borden family saga. Lizzie transforms the murder mystery into an exploration of repressed desires.
The Runaways (2010)
This is one of the first films I ever bought with my own hard-earned money. It was also a huge queer-awakening moment for me. This biopic follows Cherie Currie and Joan Jett, as well as other members, as they run towards their dream of starting an all-girl rock band. It’s a very engrossing watch. Twilight fans were glad to see Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart sharing a screen again.
Happiest Season (2020)
This groundbreaking queer festive film is like “SO gay dude”. One of the reasons why it’s so high up on this list is that Kristen Stewart shares a screen with bisexual star Aubrey Plaza. While they are not each other’s love interest, they have so much onscreen chemistry that many viewers wanted them to be endgame.
Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
In this psychological thriller, KStew plays a reclusive butch gym manager. In this “be gay and do crime” film, she and Katy O’Brian get sexy, sweaty and bloody. It’s full of twists and turns. You’ll be turned on, shocked and stunned.
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