In 1848, Emily Brontë published a novel that would become one of literature’s most enduring classics. In 2026, Emerald Fennell brings it to the big screen with a bold new vision.
From childhood friends to star-crossed lovers, Catherine Earnshaw (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) share a bond as intoxicating as it is destructive, a collision of love and hate that drives this reimagined tale for a new generation.
Here is SEA Wave’s High Five Movie Review of Wuthering Heights.
A Gothic Dream
Photos from Warner Bros.
Wuthering Heights is the kind of film meant for the big screen. Its cinematography captures every frame with haunting beauty, while the lavish production and costume design reinforce the film’s Gothic atmosphere.
Although the film favors style over accuracy, the choice is forgivable as each ensemble feels like a piece of art, not only enhancing the visuals but helping to tell the story through color and design. Not only is it a feast for the eyes, it is also a symphony for the ears, with the soundtrack heightening every scene and amplifying the emotions simmering beneath the imagery.
When Eyes Say Everything
Gaze of Yearning | Photo from Warner Bros.
A romance like “Wuthering Heights” requires actors with electrifying chemistry—and Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi deliver exactly that. But it’s not just their chemistry that makes Catherine and Heathcliff’s love compelling; it’s their portrayal, especially in how their eyes convey longing and passion, telling the story in ways words cannot capture.
Despite criticism and doubt surrounding the casting, Robbie and Elordi ignited the screen with burning intensity, making their characters’ romance utterly captivating.
A Descent into Ruin
In Catherine’s Room | Photo from Warner Bros.
The tragedy that defines Wuthering Heights is set in motion by deeply flawed characters. Their choices—fueled by desire, jealousy, and revenge—spark a chain of destruction that engulfs everyone around them. While the film could have explored class divisions more fully to highlight the stark difference between the main characters, it still makes it clear why Catherine and Heathcliff’s love is doomed from the very beginning.
Every decision carries the weight of inevitable ruin. Their romance drives the narrative, while the fallout of their actions create a world consumed by longing, obsession, and chaos. The result is a story both intoxicating and devastating, with a tragic fate that painfully echoes the innocent beginnings of what could have been a great love story.
This is Not Your Mom’s “Wuthering Heights”
The quotation marks in the title say it all—this isn’t the Wuthering Heights you think you know. Director Emerald Fennell puts it bluntly: “I can’t say I’m making Wuthering Heights. It’s not possible. What I can say is I’m making a version of it.”
And that’s exactly what this film is: a version. The bones of the story are there—the love, the pain, the doomed romance—but the characters and their relationships are twisted, reshaped, and sent down paths Brontë never imagined. The result is a story that feels familiar yet entirely new.
It may be jarring for fans of the novel, but if you let go of expectations and treat the film as its own world, it becomes something powerful: a provocative, wild take on a classic tale. It’s not faithful to the novel—but that’s part of its appeal.
The Aftermath of the Storm
Aftermath | Photo from Warner Bros.
Watching Wuthering Heights is like enduring a storm. It begins with a light shower before it begins pouring down, engulfing you in a torrent of emotions. By the time the credits roll, one feeling remains: devastation. Maybe it’s because you think the filmmakers ruined your favorite novel, or maybe it’s the sheer tragedy of the story itself—how it unfolds and lingers long after the final scene.
Even if the film feels watered down compared to its source material, it has its saving graces. The story’s overhaul affects the depth of its characters and the complexity of its themes, yet the film’s emotional power remains undeniable. Its sweeping visuals, haunting moments, and intense drama make it impossible to look away. It is a beautiful disaster—a spectacle of sorrow that irresistibly draws you in.
This vision may not be appreciated by all, but it will leave an indelible mark on those who surrender to the tragedy and chaos. SEA Wave rates Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” 3 out of 5 waves.