Cullen's backstory in 'Twilight' is this fascinating blend of tragedy and resilience that makes him one of the most compelling characters in the series. Born in the early 1900s, he was turned into a vampire by Carlisle Cullen after nearly dying from the Spanish flu. The transformation wasn't just physical; it reshaped his entire existence. Before becoming a vampire, he was this ordinary human with dreams and a family, but losing everything in the pandemic left him with a deep-seated aversion to human blood. That's why he and the Cullen family choose to live as 'vegetarians,' feeding only on animals.
What really gets me about Cullen is his internal struggle. He's this eternal teenager, frozen at 17, yet he carries centuries' worth of emotional baggage. His relationship with Bella is so intense because he sees her as both a temptation and a redemption. The way he battles his instinct to feed on her while also protecting her adds layers to his character. Plus, his backstory ties into the larger Cullen family dynamic—Carlisle as this almost paternal figure, Esme as the nurturing mother, and the others as siblings bound by choice rather than blood. It's a weird, messed-up, but oddly beautiful family portrait.