"Wuthering Heights"

Wuthering Heights is a 136‑minute romantic period drama that takes a bold, stylised leap from Emily Brontë’s 1847 classic. Director Emerald Fennell, who also helmed Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, wanted the film to feel like a teenage girl reading the book for the first time, so she re‑imagined the story with a heavy dose of carnality and chic visual flair. The result is a sweeping, moody love story set on the Yorkshire moors, where the brooding Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) and the fierce Catherine Earnshaw (Margot Robbie) clash, collide, and ultimately find themselves trapped by a tragic destiny.

The cast is a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent. Robbie and Elordi lead the picture, joined by a supporting ensemble that includes Anthony Sandgren’s cinematography, Anthony Willis’s score, and a handful of original songs from Charli XCX and Welsh musician John Cale. The film’s first trailer, released in September 2025, paid homage to Gone with the Wind and set the tone for a visually vibrant, almost theatrical experience.

With an $80 million budget, the film has already pulled in over $213 million worldwide, proving that its daring reinterpretation resonated with a sizable audience. Critics were divided, with 58 % of 328 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes coming out positive and a Metacritic score of 55/100. The consensus notes that while it may not be “high literature,” it is a “visually vibrant pleasure.” CinemaScore gave it a “B,” and audiences generally enjoyed the film’s intense, stylised romance and the lush, period‑set production design.

Who will love it? Fans of Fennell’s previous work, lovers of period dramas who appreciate a modern, sensual twist, and anyone who enjoys a film that’s as much about atmosphere and visual storytelling as it is about narrative will find plenty to enjoy. The movie’s lush cinematography, bold costume design, and the chemistry between Robbie and Elordi make it a feast for the eyes and the heart.

Who might be turned off? Those who crave a faithful, literary retelling of Brontë’s novel may find the adaptation too far removed from the source material. The film’s explicit romantic scenes and the controversial casting choices could also put off viewers who prefer a more subdued, traditional approach to the classic tale. Additionally, the mixed critical reception—ranging from “heaving, rip‑snortingly carnal good time” to “emotionally hollow misfire”—suggests that the film’s daring style may not land for everyone.

Overall, Wuthering Heights offers a visually striking, emotionally charged take on a timeless love story. It’s a film that rewards viewers who are open to a fresh, sensual re‑interpretation of a literary legend, while those looking for a faithful, literary‑centric adaptation might want to set their expectations a bit lower.