Darcie 
It’s streamy, erotic, passionate, and features some incredible performances! But is Wuthering Heights the triumph that Emerald Fennell intended?
I have not seen a film divide audiences as much as “Wuthering Heights” has in a long time. Emerald Fennell has created the marmite of films, with some calling it sweepingly romantic, whilst others feel it is an insult to Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel. Whilst there is division amongst cinema goers, it has been enormously fun to see so many people discussing the film. It has been a while since the in-person chatter about a film has been equal to the online posting—a massive boost for cinema.
Personally, I gave “Wuthering Heights” four stars; I would have liked to have awarded the full five stars. But no matter how much I’ve been obsessing over the film since I watched it, I could not justify giving it a perfect rating. As I said, I may be a little obsessed with “Wuthering Heights,” and I’ve been thinking about what I loved and what I didn’t for the past few weeks. So, here is a list of the four things to love and the three not to like.
Four Things to Love
- Costumes – Costume designer Jacqueline Durran stole the film. Creating over 45 costumes for Cathy alone, Durran perfectly captured the spectacle that Fennell was aiming for. Margot Robbie is the perfect actress for Durran to dress, especially given that they had worked together on Barbie. Each look is a pure delight to behold. Surely, as the best costume nomination, it will be on the cards at the 2027 award shows.
- Visuals – The opening sequence on the Yorkshire Moors is captivating, showcasing gothic qualities reminiscent of the book—the harsh landscape, the rocks that tower like a cage around Wuthering Heights. Accompanied by Charlie XCX and John Cale’s ‘House’ is dramatic and haunted. It gives us a taste of what a gothic interpretation could have looked like, but Fennell chooses to lean away from the gothic, instead giving us colour and spectacle. The style is intricate and beautiful, almost reminiscent of a fairytale at times. A cold fairytale that we know not to get caught up in, but are unable to help ourselves.
- Music – Now if you had told me a year ago, long before the release of ‘Chains of Love’ that Charlie XCX would create one of the greatest movie albums of all time, I would not have believed you. But here we are! The songs feature heavily in the movie, but the real standouts were used effectively in the marketing. Each song is beautiful, haunting, and an equal part of the story as the visuals.
- Cast – I know the casting is not book accurate. But no one can deny that both Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi give some career-best performances. With the roles and script, they shine. Delivering convincing, heartbreaking interpretations.
Three Things Not to Like
- Erotic Scenes – Some of the provocative scenes fit perfectly within the narrative. But most felt forced, as if Fennell was trying to shock. In fact, the film would have been better without the jellied fish and the bread and eggs. It also could have cut the character assassination that turned Isabella into a chained dog. The marketing also wildly overhyped the erotic nature of the film, most of which was nothing more than what you would see in a Bridgerton episode.
- Pacing Issues – This is such a minor issue overall. But there were times I felt myself being pulled from the story, especially in the middle. The film bounces between fast-paced and torturously slow scenes that, if not for the visuals, would be boring.
- Overly Romantic – I personally did not find the film romantic; it is more of a tragic, toxic story of destruction. Cathy and Heathcliff are not supposed to be likable; their one redeemable quality is that they love each other. A love that consumes them and destroys everything around them. Fusennell, Robbie, and Elordi capture this destruction perfectly, eventually ripping viewers’ hearts out as the film concludes. The thing that worries me is that people seem to be mistaking this film for a yearning-fueled romance.
Whilst none of the three things not to like are dealbreakers, they do stop the film from sparkling as Emerald had surely intended. I do feel that Fennell has yet to find her director’s voice. That being said, “Wuthering Heights” has created chatter, excitement, and obsession.
On which side of the fence are you? Drop a comment in the chat below and share your thoughts.
Wuthering Heights is playing in cinemas everywhere now.
Darcie Gray is the Fashion Editor of The Future of the Force. Aside from being a passionate Star Wars fan, she loves every genre of movies and she channels her passion for film into her personal blog Just Another Film Blog. Follow her on Twitter where she shares her love of film regularly.
