Critics weigh in on Wuthering Heights and share their thoughts on the performances and overall storytelling

The cinematic return of ‘Wuthering Heights’

The 2026 film ‘Wuthering Heights’, directed by Emerald Fennell, has arrived in theaters with notable box-office momentum, quickly attracting audiences eager to see a modern interpretation of Emily Brontë’s widely studied literary classic.

Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the production blends dramatic storytelling, sweeping landscapes, and carefully crafted period visuals, presenting the famous novel through a visually rich, cinema-focused lens.

Adapting Emily Brontë’s enduring novel

Emerald Fennell’s film revisits the turbulent relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, whose passionate bond unfolds within social barriers, personal ambition, and emotional intensity set against the bleak English countryside.

Rather than presenting a page-by-page translation of the book, the film interprets the original narrative through a modern filmmaking perspective, aiming to reshape the story for contemporary viewers while preserving its central emotional conflicts.

Early reactions reveal a divided critical landscape

As the first wave of reviews rolled in, the opening moments surrounding ‘Wuthering Heights’ felt like the start of an intense cinematic conversation, with critics offering sharply different perspectives on its tone, pacing, and storytelling choices.

The early critical response set the stage for a lively debate, as writers acknowledged the film’s bold creative direction while questioning certain interpretive choices, turning its release into one of the most closely examined adaptations of the year.

The New Yorker reflects on spectacle versus feeling

Justin Chang of The New Yorker acknowledged that Emerald Fennell’s version of ‘Wuthering Heights’ contains visually arresting moments, particularly through its intense performances and dramatic staging of the famous love story.

However, Chang suggested that the film sometimes emphasizes heightened imagery over emotional depth, arguing that the constant dramatic intensity leaves fewer opportunities for audiences to connect with the characters’ inner feelings.

Fun fact: Emerald Fennell directed ‘Promising Young Woman’ while seven months pregnant during a 23-day shoot.

Variety praises the film’s confident direction

Peter Debruge of Variety responded favorably to the adaptation, describing the director’s take on ‘Wuthering Heights’ as energetic, bold, and visually engaging throughout its ambitious cinematic presentation.

He noted that the director, Fennell, reshapes several elements of the classic story, yet argued that such stylistic freedom reflects Fennell’s distinctive filmmaking voice, which audiences previously experienced in her earlier feature ‘Saltburn’.

The Guardian criticizes the film’s emotional impact

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian offered a far less enthusiastic response, describing ‘Wuthering Heights’ as an emotionally hollow retelling that fails to capture the devastating core of Emily Brontë’s novel.

He also questioned the use of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the leading roles, though he pointed out that Martin Clunes delivers a supporting performance that adds some welcome strength to the production.

The Hollywood Reporter embraces the film’s bold tone

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter took a more appreciative view, suggesting that Emerald Fennell’s reworking of ‘Wuthering Heights’ becomes entertaining once viewers accept its intentionally exaggerated storytelling style.

According to Rooney, the film’s vibrant colors, opulent design, and deliberately provocative energy transform the familiar narrative into a flamboyant, visually saturated, big-screen experience.

Collider questions the film’s narrative choices

Therese Lacson of Collider reacted critically to the adaptation, arguing that Emerald Fennell’s interpretation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ lacks the emotional complexity that defines the original novel.

In her view, the film’s stylized presentation creates a disjointed viewing experience, leaving the dramatic storyline feeling strangely distant despite the film’s high-profile cast and elaborate visual production.

Little-known fact: Emily Brontë’s ‘Wuthering Heights‘ was first published in 1847 paired with Anne Brontë’s ‘Agnes Grey’ as a three-volume set.

Empire highlights the film’s gothic atmosphere

Beth Webb of Empire recognized several strengths within the film, particularly praising the gothic atmosphere that Emerald Fennell creates through the rugged Northern landscapes surrounding the story.

She also pointed out that the portrayal of youthful passion between the central characters contributes to the film’s emotional intensity, though she acknowledged that some narrative elements remain uneven.

The Independent challenges the acting approach

Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent strongly criticized the performances in ‘Wuthering Heights’, arguing that the film’s exaggerated tone pushes the actors toward overly theatrical portrayals.

According to her assessment, the storytelling style amplifies dramatic gestures to the point where the emotional nuance of the characters becomes overshadowed by the film’s heightened cinematic presentation.

Screen Daily offers a balanced evaluation

Leonie Cooper of Screen Daily presented a mixed response, acknowledging that ‘Wuthering Heights’ features visually impressive moments and striking creative flourishes that reflect Emerald Fennell’s ambitious direction.

At the same time, she observed that the film’s highly intensified mood occasionally becomes overwhelming, creating scenes where the emotional tone feels excessively heavy and melodramatic.

Some critics celebrate the film as reinvention

Caryn James of the BBC welcomed the film’s artistic approach, suggesting that audiences might appreciate ‘Wuthering Heights’ more if they view it as a reinvention rather than a strict literary adaptation.

Brian Truitt of USA Today also expressed enthusiasm, describing the film as an enthralling retelling that presents the iconic love story through a modern cinematic perspective.

Want to read more about Wuthering Heights? Check out how Margot Robbie almost didn’t land the lead in ‘Wuthering Heights’.

The adaptation leaves critics debating its legacy

Additional reviewers highlighted the film’s deeply emotional and romantic tone, though opinions remained divided. Writers from Rogerebert.com and IndieWire noted that Wuthering Heights in Emerald Fennell’s version leans strongly into passion and heartbreak.

Meanwhile, critics from The Playlist and Vulture argued that the film’s intense romance and sweeping emotions make it unforgettable, praising how Fennell’s direction amplifies the love, longing, and turmoil at the heart of the classic story.

Craving some more to read about Wuthering Heights? Take a look at what really happens to Heathcliff in ‘Wuthering Heights’ and why his ending remains so unforgettable.

What surprised you more, the passionate praise for the film’s bold storytelling, or the critics who felt this new take on a classic may divide audiences? Share your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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