“Wuthering Heights” might not only be the most controversial movie of the year so far, but one of the most controversial adaptations ever made. Being completely honest, I haven’t read the book, so I went into the early screening without any bias, and with fairly low expectations given the divisive commentary online. That might be why I liked the movie a little more than I expected to.
Tom’s Guide Verdict: ‘Wuthering Heights’
Rating: 3/5 starsVerdict: “Wuthering Heights” is visually stunning, with sizzling chemistry, immersive sound, and moody gothic romance that draws you in. But beneath the beauty lies a heavily romanticized take on toxic love, erasing key character empowerment and upsetting book purists. It’s a feast for the eyes, not the conscience.Where to watch: “Wuthering Heights” premieres in theaters on Feb. 13
On first impression, this adaptation is beautifully shot, and it’s clear Emerald Fennell has a keen eye for ensuring the costumes, set pieces, and cinematography all mesh seamlessly together. The visuals and sound design are easily among its strongest elements. But even as someone with no prior knowledge of Emily Brontë’s novel, I could sense there were deep-rooted issues in how toxic “love” is portrayed. After 24 hours to process it, even more became clear.
If you aren’t familiar, “Wuthering Heights” is a visually vibrant tale of obsessive, destructive love between two soul-entangled outsiders whose passion, jealousy, and class divide push them toward tragedy on the windswept Yorkshire moors. Here’s my honest take on this adaptation and whether you should see it.
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Alix Blackburn
Senior Streaming Writer
I live and breathe film, and I’m lucky enough to attend early screenings so I can share my honest thoughts with you. Think of it as your spoiler-free guide to deciding what’s worth your time!
‘Wuthering Heights’ is stunning to look at, complicated to love
(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
As I mentioned, I had no idea what to expect going into “Wuthering Heights,” considering I had no knowledge of the book or its central themes. This movie is being marketed as a gothic romance, and even though it heavily focuses on how toxic love can spiral into obsession and destruction, the consequences never feel fully confronted. There’s a lot to like about the movie’s visuals and performances, but its glaring flaws become even more obvious the longer I have to process it.
Catherine and Heathcliff do and say far too many terrible things, yet the movie still forces you to root for them.
“Wuthering Heights” follows the sweeping story of Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi), a foundling taken in by the Earnshaw family, and his intense bond with Catherine Earnshaw (Margot Robbie), set against 18th-century England’s rugged Yorkshire moors. As Heathcliff and Catherine grow up together, their deep connection is challenged by social standing and personal ambition. After Heathcliff leaves to make his fortune, Catherine marries another man, igniting a chain of betrayal and heartbreak that reverberates through their lives.
(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
This is very much a sexy, glossy, moody take on the doomed-lovers trope, with Robbie and Elordi sharing enough sizzling chemistry and intimacy that the poor Yorkshire moors are probably still traumatized. They’re soulmates who can’t be together, yet their dangerously intense longing feels real, and both actors do a fantastic job giving fans the yearning they crave. It’s a movie you can’t help but be drawn to from the very start, which is where part of my praise comes from.
There’s also the beautiful visuals and booming sound design that get your heart thumping. The opening sequence was actually one of the strongest parts, with a crowd roaring at the gallows and young Catherine in awe of the public’s celebratory cries, a striking theme Fennell echoes later when love and death feel almost indistinguishable. I can’t deny that “Wuthering Heights” is a spectacle and certainly strengthened on the big screen, making it all the more consuming.
(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
However, despite the stunning costume design and set pieces, and even moments in the torrential rain with mist enveloping the moors, “Wuthering Heights” falls into the trap of feeling a little too much like “fanfiction.” It’s as if Fennell took the “heated” parts of the novel and turned them into a heavily romanticized tale of obsession and revenge, all while making Robbie and Elordi likable in the lead roles, even when their characters are clearly toxic. They treat everyone poorly, and the only characters you can really connect with are Catherine’s husband Edgar (Shazad Latif) and their maid Nelly (Hong Chau).
Catherine and Heathcliff do and say far too many terrible things, yet the movie still forces you to root for them. There’s a particular scene where Heathcliff is incredibly toxic toward Edgar’s sister, Isabella (Alison Oliver), and while I won’t spoil it, it’s a moment that shouldn’t have been romanticized at all. In the book, this scene is meant to be empowering for her, but the movie removes that, which is frustrating (and where most of the controversy lies). “Wuthering Heights” is a visual feast for the eyes, but once that glossiness fades, the rot starts to show.
Verdict: ‘Wuthering Heights’ is beautifully made but deeply divisive
(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
“Wuthering Heights” serves up all the egg yolk, leeches, sweaty carriage rides, and mushrooms to create a steamy tale packed with yearning and secrets (you’ll understand if you choose to watch it). But behind the visual beauty lie some glaring flaws that book fans have already pointed out, and even without prior knowledge of the novel, I completely agree that the changes weren’t for the better.
Fennell might have been better off creating an original story with a similar concept that justified its romance label. “Wuthering Heights” clearly has too many layers and important messages to disregard in a major adaptation with well-known actors, and romanticizing this kind of toxic “love” doesn’t exactly send the right message. Still, lovers of the book who are desperate to see “Wuthering Heights” should opt for the big screen experience purely for the visuals and sound alone.
“Wuthering Heights” hits theaters on February 13.
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