Movies

Film critics react to Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi starrer 'Wuthering Height'

Critics explain what to expect from Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights

Laiba Baaz

a week ago

Film critics react to Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi starrer 'Wuthering Height'

Critics explain what to expect from Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights

Emerald Fennell’s highly anticipated adaptation of Wuthering Heights has finally screened for critics and early reactions suggest the film is as provocative, divisive and visually arresting as expected.

The film stars Margot Robbie as Catherine “Cathy” Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff.

The erotic reimagining of Emily Brontë’s gothic classic has been the subject of controversy for months from casting choices to Fennell’s unapologetically sensual vision.

While full reviews have yet to be published first reactions are now offering insight into whether the bold adaptation pays off.

Wuthering Heights summary

Wuthering Heights follows the obsessive and destructive love story between Cathy Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan taken in by her family.

Though deeply bonded from childhood societal class divisions prevent them from being together.

Cathy ultimately marries Edgar Linton while Heathcliff disappears only to return years later wealthy, embittered and driven by revenge.

The good parts

Variety critic Courtney Howard called the adaptation “a god-tier new classic,” writing on X:

“Emerald Fennell’s #WutheringHeightsMovie is intoxicating, transcendent, tantalising, bewitching, lustworthy, hypnotic. Expertly captures the breathtaking ache & essence of desire. Sandgren’s cinematography, spellbinding. Davies’ production design, sublime.”

Variety’s Jazz Tangcay echoed that enthusiasm, highlighting the chemistry between the leads:

“Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is a scorching hot and twisted tale. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s chemistry and sexual tension is a whole other level of HOT!”

She added:

“Only Emerald could take a classic, turn it on its head, make you fall completely in lust, and then utterly destroy your soul.”

Film critic Scott Menzel suggested that BookTok fans would be “absolutely floored” by the adaptation.

IndieWire’s Anne Thompson described the film as “a rip-roaring, bodice-ripping crowd-pleaser,” while The Playlist’s Griffin Schiller compared Fennell’s approach to Baz Luhrmann’s maximalist style calling the film “a full-on sensory experience” and “the steamiest film we’ve had in a minute.”

The bad parts

Next Best Picture’s Matt Neglia admitted the adaptation was “messy and overlong,” noting:

“Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights feels entirely singular, and you’ll either love her bold, colourful approach or not.”

Schiller also predicted backlash from traditionalists writing that “purists will take issue” with the adaptation though he added it is “sure to become a staple for this generation.”