On paper, a film adaptation of an almost 180-year-old novel starring the leads of Barbie and Frankenstein alongside a soundtrack by Charli xcx sounds like an AI-generated fever dream. But in the hands of writer and director Emerald Fennell, “Wuthering Heights” is an instant modern romance classic.
The film, which is the latest in a long line of on-screen adaptations of Emily Brontë’s beloved novel, has been shrouded in controversy since it was first announced in 2024.
While some of the criticism is justified — including the casting of Jacob Elordi as “dark-skinned” Heathcliff and 35-year-old Margot Robbie as 18-year-old Catherine Earnshaw — any concerns about chemistry between the two Australian leads are immediately dispelled once the film begins.
Both actors deliver steamy, emotionally charged performances that perfectly encapsulate love, lust and straight-up yearning. Cinema hasn’t seen two actors express this level of aching desire while standing in the English countryside since Pride & Prejudice.
The power of Charli xcx
The pair’s intoxicating love story — complete with countless fog-soaked scenes — is jolted firmly into the 21st century by Charli xcx’s synth-pop production.
The anthemic track “Chains of Love” articulates the film’s emotional arc so perfectly that it already deserves a place alongside Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again” as one of the greatest soundtrack songs of the past decade. Yep, I said it.
Other highlights include the cinematography, costume design and production design, all of which help elevate the film into a complete work of art. Historically, February releases aren’t often major award contenders, but I’ll be shocked if “Wuthering Heights” doesn’t receive any nominations in the technical categories.
As for Fennell’s bold point of view, anyone who’s seen Saltburn knows she isn’t afraid to shock audiences with her intense and sometimes extreme depictions of longing.
If you thought the bath scene in that film was a lot, prepare yourself for a similar moment between Robbie and Elordi by the rocks that will make you immediately want to text the group chat. Maybe don’t watch this one with your parents.
Yes, it has its flaws
Although it isn’t a literal adaptation of Brontë’s novel (hence the quotation marks) and only covers the first half of the 400-page story, “Wuthering Heights” remains utterly engrossing. You’ll finish the film in need of a dark room, a good cry and a long moment to consider whether you’ve ever truly experienced love.
Yes, it may be slightly longer than necessary. Yes, BookTok audiences may be shocked by how it differs from the source material and how it downplays the novel’s themes of racial and social otherness. And yes, some scenes might make you feel uncomfortable and leave you thinking “what the hell is happening”. But if you’re a romantic, you’ll fall hard for this Gothic tragedy regardless.
So if you’re wondering why I’m suddenly looking at booking a trip to the windswept Yorkshire moor, wearing billowing white shirts to work and listening to “Chains of Love” on repeat, just know that “Wuthering Heights” has become my entire personality.
PEDESTRIAN.TV’s rating: 4/5
“Wuthering Heights” is in cinemas on February 12.
