Wuthering Heights evaluate – Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi fall painfully in love | Films | Entertainment | EUROtoday

Wuthering Heights opens with a condemned man being aroused as he suffocates to loss of life on the gallows, whereas a nun watches on, licking her lips. Emerald Fennell likes to shock her audiences with provocative imagery throughout her movies. Although, in contrast to her final function, Saltburn, there are fewer bodily fluids right here and extra gooey egg yokes and snail slime. From the outset, it’s clear precisely what her interpretation of Emily Brontë’s basic novel goes to be about, and it imbues each character and far of the imagery all through: BDSM through the “pleasurable” ache of the leads’ unfulfilled romance.

It’s a daring and unique tackle a fancy ebook that’s often butchered and barely tailored faithfully for the display. But Fennell by no means got down to do the latter. After all, her movie is actually referred to as “Wuthering Heights” in citation marks. The Oscar-winner’s model omits main characters completely, and as soon as once more, the novel’s second technology has been completely lower. No doubt Brontë purists shall be up in arms, however for this writer-director, the story is a mere automobile for an exploration of the obsessive ache of doomed love and having fun with it.

For these unfamiliar with the supply materials, Wuthering Heights is a Gothic 18th century tragedy set on the Yorkshire moors. The story follows an orphan boy named Heathcliff, who’s raised by the Earnshaw household and falls in love with their daughter, Cathy. For her anti-romantic leads, Fennell solid two earlier collaborators: Margot Robbie, who produced her first two movies and this one, and Jacob Elordi, who starred in Saltburn.

Robbie could also be seven years older than Elordi and too previous for her character, however is nonetheless very convincing because the chaotically immature and frivolous maiden. Meanwhile, the towering Heathcliffe star (who’s rumoured to be in talks for the following James Bond) considerably repeats the sullen, brooding outsider of the monster he’s Oscar-nominated for in Frankenstein, however is rarely fairly as menacing or wild because the novel’s character. Nevertheless, he additionally offers an excellent efficiency the place you don’t simply consider his unrequited love, you are feeling it. Together, they naturally intensify a sensual chemistry of deeply convincing, all-consuming ardour, confirming Fennell didn’t make a casting error regardless of preliminary issues from followers.

As is the case throughout her movies, there are many laugh-out-loud moments amid the distress, with some splendidly eccentric characters, together with Martin Clunes as Cathy’s debt-ridden father. Additionally, the stylised units and beautiful, dreamy cinematography are a sight to behold. At 136 minutes, it does begin to wane a bit within the third act, regardless of chopping half the story, and one huge narrative change feels misjudged given the thematic focus. Nevertheless, it’s one other spectacular feat from Fennell, however possibly not the perfect date night time film for Valentine’s Day!

“Wuthering Heights” hits cinemas on February 13, 2026.