What's happened
A new film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 'Wuthering Heights' starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi debuts in cinemas today. Critics say it emphasizes style over substance, with a highly stylized, provocative take that diverges from the novel’s themes of class, trauma, and violence. The film features gothic visuals and modern themes of toxic romance, but many see it as a superficial reinterpretation.
What's behind the headline?
The film’s visual style and modern reinterpretation serve as a double-edged sword. While the cinematography and set design are praised for their lushness, critics argue that the film sacrifices the novel’s emotional intensity and thematic complexity. The adaptation’s focus on aestheticized longing and superficial romance risks diluting the original’s exploration of class inequality, trauma, and violence. This approach aligns with a broader trend in contemporary cinema to repackage classic stories as stylized spectacles, often at the expense of depth. The decision to highlight superficial elements over the novel’s darker, more primal themes suggests a commercial strategy aimed at Valentine’s Day audiences rather than a serious engagement with Brontë’s work. The film’s departure from the novel’s violence and raw emotion may result in a less enduring adaptation, potentially alienating fans of the original. Overall, this version will likely be remembered more for its visual flair than its narrative substance, and it underscores the ongoing challenge of adapting complex literary works for modern audiences.
What the papers say
The reviews from Arab News, New York Times, and The Scotsman converge on the film’s visual appeal but criticize its superficial treatment of the source material. Arab News highlights the film’s aesthetic focus and lack of engagement with deeper themes, describing it as a 'fever dream' that 'murders the original text.' The New York Times notes the director’s liberties, including surreal touches and anachronisms, which ultimately undermine the novel’s emotional core. Meanwhile, The Scotsman emphasizes the film’s gaudy production design and its focus on toxic romance, comparing it to a period spin on '50 Shades of Gray.' Despite differing perspectives, all agree that the adaptation prioritizes style over substance, risking alienation of fans seeking a faithful or meaningful retelling.
How we got here
The film is a stylized adaptation of Emily Brontë’s only novel, which has historically been adapted multiple times across various media. Previous versions have explored themes of class, trauma, and supernatural vengeance, but this latest iteration aims for a modern, aestheticized approach. Critics note that the director, Fennell, has taken significant liberties, emphasizing visual spectacle over the novel’s core themes.
Go deeper
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Wuthering Heights is the only novel by the English author Emily Brontë, initially published in 1847 under her pen name "Ellis Bell". It concerns two extensive upland estates and their landowning families on the West Yorkshire moors, the Earnshaws and...
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Emerald Lilly Fennell (; born 1 October 1985) is an English actress, filmmaker, and writer. She has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards...
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Jacob Elordi (born 26 June 1997) is an Australian actor. His accolades include a Critics' Choice Movie Award and two AACTA Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, three British Academy Film Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.
Elordi rose.
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Margot Elise Robbie is an Australian actress and producer. She has received nominations for two Academy Awards and five BAFTA Awards.