People have always turned to religion to make sense of their world and to have something to believe in. In today's society, where the Internet and media play such an important role in people's lives, many consider movies to be more than just entertainment. For these people, who involve these films in their daily lives and even meet with others to discuss them, what they watch becomes a kind of religion. They learn to live by the principles of fictional characters and share solidarity with others who feel the same way. Two examples of these “religions” that have emerged are Dudeism, based on the movie The Big Lebowski, and the large fandom surrounding the Twilight series. Both of these films exert an influence on large groups of fans and resemble religious movements. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Big Lebowski, a 1998 film by the Coen brothers, has a large cult following and gave rise to a pseudo-religion called Dudeism. “For [Dudeists], it's not enough to watch the film, quote its precious aphorisms, or analyze the many baffling linguistic errors that go unnoticed in the dialogue, but these Dudley fans feel the need to do something to celebrate and carry on the attitude of the Dude in the real world,” (Andrus, 2016, 114). This "Dude", the film's protagonist, is laid-back, quiet, and enigmatic, and many fans of the film have adopted his mannerisms and personality. They take it easy and even have a website to encourage people to join the movement. Despite being a simple comedy, The Big Lebowski is a way of life for many of these fans. They insist that Dudeism is a legitimate religious movement that anyone is willing to join. However, most Dudeists are male, as The Dude is seen as a male figure. Due to its widespread nature and the fact that it is centered on a figure that people seem to emulate, Dudeism is very similar to many common religions. People have a purpose in life and share their experience with others. Although less overtly religious than Dudeism, fans of the Twilight series almost seem to adore the books and films. “New media technologies become a space for the formation, formation and performance of personal identity and the negotiation of values, beliefs and norms for young female users” (Petersen, 2013, 84). In this case, it is above all female fans who have created a large following around this series. Using the Internet, Twilight fans can create blogs and post in forums to share their feelings about the series. Beyond a simple four book series or movie, this simple love story between a human and a vampire is often thought about and addressed by young women on a daily basis. They shape their identity based on the person they want the protagonist to end up with and write long articles criticizing or praising parts of the story they are attracted to. The supernatural aspect of the story, mixed with a classic love story, gives them something to believe in and relate to. Unlike the Dudeists, Twilight fans do not consider their followers to be part of a religious movement, but this unites them and gives more meaning to their daily lives. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay These two different movie sequels show how media can be constructed to shape one's identity. Both groups of fans make these films their lifestyle and follow.