(February 28, 2013) — Another dark romance hits the big screen and captivates audiences with casters, spells and magic. Much like any dark romance, Beautiful Creatures explores the lives of two teenagers destined to be with each other. Of course, crazy events try to come in the way of the two lovers, but they keep fighting to be with each other. This sounds all too similar to Twilight; however, this movie is much more unpredictable — in a better way, that is. The movie kicks off by introducing Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich), a boy who can’t wait to escape the grasp of small town Gatlin, South Carolina. With the start of a new school year, Ethan meets the girl he’s been dreaming of for months, Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert). She’s the mysterious girl who comes from a family of witchcraft, and she’s not so welcome in the Christian dominated town of Gatlin. Of course, the all-too-familiar teenage love story starts here. Ethan is head over heels for Lena while she plays hard to get; soon enough they end up together. Lena has a limited number of days until her sixteenth birthday — the day she will be claimed by good or evil. Until then, some evil family members and unwelcome events try to bring out Lena’s bad side, but her uncle Macon (Jeremy Irons) guides her. This film has the right amount romance, drama, and even a bit of comic relief here and there. The film’s best attribute is its execution of the teenage love story. The chemistry between the two actors is very powerful, which makes the film all the more enjoyable. Most importantly, the love story portrays women in an admirable light. Unlike Bella in Twilight , Lena is a very powerful woman who clearly does not constantly rely on her boyfriend for support. Yes, Lena does love Ethan; however, she does not cling to him as if he’s like the air she breathes. Beautiful Creatures portrays women as strong individuals who do not need men to complete them. This is where Beautiful Creatures surpasses Twilight. Despite its strengths, the film still stumbles at times. The magic and witchcraft can be a little too much at times, especially when Lena makes the dinner table spin around and around. This is a little too typical. Beautiful Creatures is a good film about the typical teenage love story. It’s a definite must-see for dark romance lovers.