The Emerald Fennell-directed adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, arrives in theaters Friday, drawing a sharply divided response from critics. While some praise the film’s bold, contemporary reimagining of the classic novel, others criticize it as a shallow and overly stylized departure from the source material.
Reviews released Monday indicate a mixed reception, with the film garnering a 71 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 65 reviews, and 60 percent on Metacritic from 31 reviews. The film centers on the tumultuous relationship between Heathcliff, played by Elordi, and Catherine Earnshaw, portrayed by Robbie, set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors.
The BBC’s Caryn James described the film as “utterly absorbing,” acknowledging its significant deviations from Brontë’s original perform but praising Fennell’s distinctive directorial vision. James noted the film’s “extravagant swirl” of elements – “sexy, dramatic, melodramatic, occasionally comic and often swoonily romantic” – and its incorporation of contemporary touches, including costumes and a frank depiction of sexuality. A detail highlighted was a flesh-colored wall created from a scan of Robbie’s skin, complete with visible veins.
However, other critics have been less enthusiastic. A review in The Fresh York Times characterized Robbie as “amok on the moors,” suggesting the adaptation prioritizes style over substance. The Associated Press described the film as “a bold but shallow adaptation,” noting Fennell’s attempt to capture the emotional impact of the novel rather than adhering to a faithful retelling. The review likewise pointed to an invented act of violence at the film’s opening as an example of Fennell’s willingness to depart from the source material.
The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney acknowledged the film’s unconventional approach, stating that Fennell’s “overhaul flirts with insanity,” but ultimately found it to be “arguably the writer-director’s most purely entertaining film — pulpy, provocative, drenched in blazing color and opulent design, laced with anachronistic flourishes, sexy, pervy, irreverent and resonantly tragic.”
The film’s cast also includes Hong Chau, Alison Oliver, Shazad Latif, Martin Clunes, Owen Cooper, Charlotte Mellington, Ewan Mitchell and Amy Morgan. The adaptation has also drawn attention for its depiction of intense passion, with some reviews noting the abundance of intimate scenes. Yahoo reported that some early reviews criticized the film’s “exhausting sex scenes.”
Despite the critical divide, the film is expected to perform well at the box office over Valentine’s Day weekend, capitalizing on the star power of Robbie and Elordi and the enduring appeal of Brontë’s story.
