New Moon is the second book and film in the Twilight Saga, and like its predecessor, it took the world by storm when it hit the big screen, but it still managed to stay true to its source material. Unlike the changes made from book to movie with Twilight, a lot of the changes in New Moon are relatively minuscule — things only diehard fans would clock. However, there are still some moments that differ from the source material to the big screen that were changed to better execute the story and keep the audience engaged. New Moon is famously slow-paced, even in the movie, with a lot of the plot centering around Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) depression over Edward’s (Robert Pattinson) leaving. But it is the ultimate movie for those who are Team Jacob (Taylor Lautner). The filmmakers upped the ante when it came time to adapt the second novel, and one of the biggest moments in the film never actually took place in the novel. But there are plenty of other changes made too, and some of them are quite surprising.
“Where the Hell Have You Been, Loca?”
This infamous line spoken by Jacob Black recently trended and took the internet by storm. It’s lines like these that give Twilight a lousy rep and spawn merciless teasing among audiences. But like the “hold on tight, spider monkey” line from the first film, “Where the hell have you been, loca?” was not a line written in the novel, but simply a special film addition. It may be cheesy and bad, but it gives New Moon a little extra bite and elicits a chuckle in an otherwise dreary and atmospheric movie.
Bella Has a Job in the ‘New Moon’ Book
Movie Bella is fairly bland compared to book Bella, and that’s saying something since Bella isn’t exactly the most exciting heroine. However, in the Twilight novel, we discover that she cooks every night for her and Charlie (Billy Burke), but in the movie, they’re regulars at a local diner. New Moon once again adds to Bella’s character, this time giving her a job at a sports hardware store. In the movie, there is no mention of Bella having a job, leaving us to presume she doesn’t work.
Jacob Gives Bella a Birthday Present in the Book
New Moon begins with Bella’s birthday, something she isn’t too keen on celebrating. After all, Edward is forever 17 (technically he’s about 105 years old by this movie, but you know.) and she’s turning 18, and she doesn’t want to be older than him since he physically doesn’t age. In the movie, Jacob shows up at Bella’s school and gives her a birthday present, a dream catcher he made. In the book, however, Bella hasn’t even seen Jacob since he showed up at the prom to warn her away from Edward. Book Jacob misses her birthday, and she doesn’t see him again until she brings the motorcycles to him. And though he does give her conversation hearts on Valentine’s Day, he doesn’t give her a dream catcher at any point in the book.
Edward’s Vampire Origins Are Different in the Movie
New Moon tells us a bit about Edward’s backstory and how Carlisle (Peter Facinelli) changed him, but the accounts differ from book to movie. In the book, Carlisle explains that he took an ailing and dying Edward back to his home, where he promptly turned him into a vampire. In the movie, Carlisle turned Edward as he lay dying in his hospital bed — no transfer took place.
Bella’s Dangerous Encounter Plays Out Differently in the ‘New Moon’ Book
In Twilight, Bella is accosted by a group of dangerous men while in Port Angeles. Edward, who is able to hear all of the nasty thoughts these men are having, saves her. But in New Moon, he obviously isn’t around to save her since he’s left her, and she’s trying desperately to get him to come back. And so, she finds a group of men again in the second film and hops on the back of one of their motorcycles, despite an Edward apparition warning her against it. She eventually panics and gets off, coming out unscathed, but in the book she doesn’t get remotely close to doing this. In the book, as she goes to approach the men, she hears Edward’s voice in her head telling her to turn around — and unlike in the movie, she actually listens.
Edward’s Warning Signs Are Different
Speaking of Edward’s guidance, in the movie, Bella sees a vision of Edward any time she’s in or near danger, like when she gets on the motorcycle, or of course, when she jumps off the cliff. But in the book, Bella simply hears Edward’s voice when she’s in danger — she never sees a vision of him.
Jacob’s Transformation Plays Out Differently in the Movie
One of the biggest parts of New Moon is the reveal that Jacob is a werewolf. As he spends more and more time with Bella in the book, he slowly undergoes changes such as developing mood swings and a short temper. Bella eventually figures out his secret, and she and Jacob confront the rest of the pack together.
