Emerald Fennell's "Wuthering Heights" Adaptation Receives Mixed Critical Reception Ahead of February Release

Early reviews for Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights are in, and critics are sharply divided. The film, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, hits theaters on February 13.

"Pulpy, provocative, drenched in blazing color... sexy, pervy, irreverent and resonantly tragic."
— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

The film has registered a 71 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 60 percent on Metacritic, signaling a deeply polarizing reception as it heads toward its commercial release.

Critical Reception

Positive Commentary

• David Rooney (The Hollywood Reporter) calls it Fennell's "most purely entertaining" work.
• Caryn James (BBC) says the leads remain "recognisably Brontë’s lovers" within a "sexy, dramatic, melodramatic, occasionally comic" swirl.
• Anne Thompson (IndieWire) predicts commercial success, calling it a "rip-roaring, bodice-ripping crowd-pleaser."
• Jazz Tangcay (Variety) praises the "scorching hot twisted tale" and the chemistry between Robbie and Elordi.

Negative & Critical Commentary

• Clarisse Loughrey (The Independent) calls it an "astonishingly hollow work," accusing it of gutting the novel's emotional violence.
• Kevin Maher (The U.K. Times) deems the romance "chemistry-free" and the adaptation "vapid."
• Lindsey Bahr (Associated Press) acknowledges "myriad pleasures" but ultimately describes it as "garish and stylized fan fiction."
• Peter Bradshaw (The Guardian) highlights "relentless silliness" and a "saucy slap of BDSM."
• Beth Webb (Empire) suggests the film, while "expertly crafted," could use "more grounded" storytelling, as "style takes over."

Production Details

Cast

Key Crew

• Director: Emerald Fennell
• Cinematography: Linus Sandgren
• Costume Design: Jacqueline Durran
• Original Music: Charli xcx

Narrative & Adaptation Choices

Fennell’s adaptation covers only the first volume of the novel. She has omitted the second generation of characters (Hareton and Cathy Linton) and the novel’s framing story. The film begins with a public hanging and a scene of intimacy, immediately intertwining themes of sex and death.

Fennell has stated that her film is not intended to be a faithful rendition. She describes it as a version shaped by her memory and desired narrative changes, aiming to capture the feeling of the book rather than a direct reading.

Controversies & Debates

Casting

• Heathcliff: In the novel, Heathcliff is described as "dark-skinned" and a "gipsy." Critics like Dr. Claire O'Callaghan argue that casting Jacob Elordi (a white actor) omits the character's integral class context. Fennell has stated her casting was inspired by her teenage perception of the character.
• Cathy: Margot Robbie’s blonde hair contrasts with the book’s brunette description. Critics also note that the character was aged while largely retaining her original dialogue.

Adaptation Fidelity

Scholars and critics have raised concerns about the film’s fidelity. Dr. O'Callaghan argues that a faithful adaptation should not glamorize the relationship. The novel portrays Heathcliff as a cruel, violent man; some critics feel the adaptation simplifies this complexity.

Character Portrayals

• Nelly Dean (Hong Chau): Portrayed as a conniving villain in some interpretations, rather than the audience surrogate of the novel.
• Joseph (Ewan Mitchell): Transformed from Brontë’s aged, bitter servant into a young character involved in BDSM scenes.
• Isabella Linton (Alison Oliver): Characterized as childlike and naive.

Visual & Technical Elements

Hair and Makeup

Department head Sian Miller used a mood board of architecture and art to conceptualize character looks.

• Heathcliff: Two distinct looks: "Jesus Elordi" (unkempt, rubbed in dirt) and "Darcy Elordi" (suave, with a custom 18-karat gold tooth overlay).
• Cathy: Over 35 hairstyles were designed, including a "vagina braid," "doll braids," and "horns" (victory rolls).
• Freckles: Freckles were mapped from child actress Charlotte Mellington onto Margot Robbie to represent Cathy’s childhood on the moors.
• Death Scene: Cathy's death scene—depicting sepsis poisoning—used makeup designed to resemble "wet concrete" with medical-research-based lesions.

Costume Design

Cathy’s costumes evolve from billowing, free-flowing garments to full red skirts after her marriage. Critics note that the modern costuming, particularly the wedding dress, is historically inaccurate for the late 18th century, drawing comparisons to Victorian styles.

Original Music

Pop artist Charli xcx contributed original music to the film's score.

"An incredibly moist movie that glistens with fluids."
— Alison Willmore, Vulture

Director's Vision

Emerald Fennell discussed her adaptation at the Hay Festival, noting that a scene showing Margot Robbie with unshaven armpits was cut—a decision she called "unfortunate," as she feels period adaptations often unrealistically depict women without body hair. Fennell has said she is taking a break from filmmaking following this project.

Historical Context & Audience Reactions

Wuthering Heights has been adapted numerous times, most notably by William Wyler in 1939, as well as versions in 1970, 1992, and 2011.

Early audience reactions on social media have been largely positive, with many viewers praising the film's visual presentation and music. Some found it "almost completely absorbing."

Criticisms from viewers included perceptions that the film lacked emotional depth, reduced the story to "shagging and violins," and misrepresented core themes of obsession and vengeance. The film's emphasis on sex scenes was polarizing.

Notably, the announcement of the film has spurred increased interest in the novel, with secondhand bookshops reporting high demand for Brontë's work.