With all of Taylor Lautner's engagement hype and wedding list speculations, it's impossible not to reminisce about one of his most iconic and successful roles: The Twilight Saga's Jacob Black.
Lautner brought Bella's second love interest to life on screen, earning him much praise from the fandom and instant teen heartthrob status. But while Jacob was initially a charming and kind-hearted companion to Bella, his personality transformed along with his human form once he shifted. As the series progressed, Jacob became more and more problematic, delivering a plethora of cringe-worthy quotes to audiences.
"Where The H*** Have You Been Loca?"
New Moon
Although this line has now become a hilarious and popular meme, Jacob's quote from New Moon also undoubtedly stands as one of his most cringe-worthy lines.
This line comes completely out of the blue, with Jacob's use of "loca" making no sense and very much going against his otherwise awkward and careful (and very not Spanish) teenage character. While the film's added line may have resulted in many great memes, it also causes audiences to cringe at its absurd, unnecessary, and ungraceful deviation from the encounter in the book.
"It Was Nessie Who Wanted Me There."
Breaking Dawn Part 1
There are many things about Bella and Jacob's relationship that make no sense, the top of which is their uncomfortable future after Jacob imprints on Bella's newborn daughter in Breaking Dawn.
As if their new dynamic wasn't inappropriate and strange enough, Jacob chalking up their tumultuous relationship to Bella's yet-unborn fetus pulling them together is beyond cringe-worthy. Plus, him casually slipping in his nickname for Renesmee makes the line that much worse.
"Maybe I'll Get Myself Killed And Make It Simple For You."
Eclipse
Even though Edward and Bella were problematic as a couple - as evidenced by the many memes that sum up their relationship - credit can be given to the two for always trying to be selfless and put one another first.
Jacob, on the other hand, was constantly and aggressively trying to make Bella choose him. This quote is not only the peak of Jacob's selfish behavior, but it also showcases how toxic and manipulative he was with Bella. The fact that the two ionately kiss soon after induces much more cringe to this line.
"I Am Hotter Than You."
Eclipse
Jacob Black may have many redeeming factors that posit him as a worthy suitor for Bella, but his overconfidence is certainly not one of them.
This quote highlights Jacob's need to constantly belittle and humiliate Edward, both to compensate for Bella's choosing his rival and also to try and assert dominance over the other supernatural teenager. By encapsulating Jacob's faults and insecurities, this line comes off not as fun and suave but rude and very cringe-worthy.
"Faster If You Took Your Clothes Off."
Eclipse
While there are some things only book fans will know about Edward's rivalry with Jacob, the film series does a fairly apt job of depicting their ongoing tension and quips with each other.
Although almost all the dialogue from Eclipse's famous tent scene is cringe-inducing, this line from Jacob takes the cake. Not only does it once again portray Jacob as pushing boundaries, but he also allows his rivalry with Edward to take precedence over being appropriate with Bella, a bad look on him given his previous lack of regard for her consent.
"You Kill Her, You Kill Me!"
Breaking Dawn Part 1
By being fairly kind and ive towards Bella and the Cullens in Breaking Dawn Part 1, Jacob almost manages to finish the film without any major cringe moments.
Unfortunately, his imprinting on Renesmee ruins that streak with one of his worst quotes in the series since this line solidifies the uncomfortable and fresh bond he shares with the newborn. Plus, the intensity with which he states it only adds to the cringe-giving and awkward revelation.
"Or Don't You Care About My Safety?"
Eclipse
Although the two started off very sweet with loads of potential as lovers, eventually the relationship between Bella and Jacob made fans cringe plenty of times.
A large contributing factor to this was how desperately Jacob wanted Bella to prioritize him, and Bella's constant refusal to do so. This quote captures that uncomfortable aspect of their dynamic well, with Jacob coming off as a relentless "pick me" who refuses to take a hint or even accept no as an answer.
"Want Me To Put You In The Hospital?"
New Moon
Jacob's change in personality comes abruptly in the second installment of the series, happening not after he first shifts but right as he begins his transition into his new supernatural identity.
This line from the iconic movie theater scene in New Moon makes audiences cringe largely due to how overly aggressive Jake is in that moment, going against the cute and shy character fans and Bella ired. Not to mention how poor Mike reacts to the random and serious threat, making viewers cringe even further.
"Should I Start Calling You Dad?"
Breaking Dawn - Part 2
While the Team Edward vs. Team Jacob rivalry defined the Twilight fandom, it still embodied the overdone fantasy trope of love triangles that fans have seen enough of.
Of course, the resolution of all their tension was infinitely worse, with Jacob moving on to Renesmee. This quote from the final film is one of his most cringe-worthy as not only does it remind viewers of the problematic new dynamic between Edward, Bella, and Jacob, but it also cements the inappropriate and grooming nature of his relationship with their young daughter.
"Feel That? Flesh And Blood. And Warmth."
Eclipse
Despite Jacob's claims that he is the better choice for Bella, his actions (especially in Eclipse) at times really emphasize why he is not.
As a part of his monologue to Bella right before he forcibly kisses her, this quote is definitely his most cringe worthy one since it establishes his disregard for Bella's consent and boundaries, instead prioritizing his own needs and feelings. Even the lines themselves are far from romantic and - when combined with him making her feel his chest - they evoke not pity or sympathy in viewers, but only tons of secondhand embarrassment.
