'Wuthering Heights' Review: Deviant Adaptation Will Leave You Lusting for More

Emerald Fennell, the acclaimed director of 'Saltburn,' has directed a new adaptation of Emily Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights' starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, offering a fresh perspective on the classic novel that leans into fantasy and tawdriness to bring new life to the well-worn story. The film, described as a 'deviant adaptation,' captures the lustful energy of Brontë's original work while presenting it through Fennell's unique cinematic vision inspired by her teenage fantasies about the novel. Fennell's approach to 'Wuthering Heights' stands out for its willingness to deviate from traditional adaptations, embracing both the fantasy and tawdry elements that are present but often subdued in Brontë's story. The director has explicitly stated that her vision was shaped by the fantasy she had in her head when she first read the novel at age 14, suggesting a deeply personal connection to the material that informs her creative choices. The performances of Robbie and Elordi as Catherine and Heathcliff respectively have been highlighted as a strength of the adaptation, with the chemistry between the actors palpable in the film's most romantic moments, particularly in the iconic scene where Catherine runs onto the misty moors and encounters Heathcliff as the fog shifts.