Wuthering Heights Review: Why Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi Couldn’t Save This Reimagining
Wuthering Heights Review: Why Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi Couldn’t Save This Reimagining
A deep dive into Emerald Fennell’s visceral and grimy adaptation of the Emily Brontë classic
I waited for this film solely for Margot Robbie, but in the end, I was counting the minutes until it was over. Emerald Fennell’s modern vision isn’t the Victorian romance many were hoping for; it’s a visceral, grimy experience that feels more like a fever dream than a masterpiece.
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Conceptual visualization of the dark moors atmosphere
Why does this adaptation evoke more disgust than sympathy for its heroes?
Heathcliff: A Calculated Avenger, Not a Romantic Lead
In this adaptation, Jacob Elordi’s Heathcliff is stripped of any poetic mystery. We see him for what he truly is: a man driven by spite. Brought into the Earnshaw home as a child who couldn’t even read, he was given a chance at a new life. But instead of gratitude, he chose resentment.
While he and Cathy were "thick as thieves" as children, Heathcliff never actually changes as he grows. He had a choice: to thank the family and develop himself. Instead, he chose to remain cold-hearted and vengeful. I don’t believe he ever truly loved Cathy. To him, she was a trophy — a ticket to a status he didn’t have. Upon his return, he doesn’t act like a man in love; he acts like a man with a business plan for revenge. He doesn’t even want to marry her; he is perfectly content with her cheating on her husband. It’s pure obsession and a hunger for the status she represents, not the person she is.
Even after he acquires wealth, he remains unrefined. He still can’t write — Isabella has to write his letters for him. He buys the house only to let it rot, turning it into a literal landfill. He isn’t building a life; he is just destroying everyone else’s.
The Verdict on Elordi: he plays the role so well that it’s impossible to look at him without revulsion. He is a toxic abuser, a synonym for destruction. Honestly? I kept wishing for someone like Aidan Turner (Ross Poldark) in this role — someone who could carry the darkness without losing the soul.
Catherine Earnshaw: A Wild Egoist
Margot Robbie’s Cathy is equally difficult to root for. Living in total isolation with no neighbors or peers, her bond with Heathcliff feels less like "destiny" and more like a lack of other options. She is "wild" for her status, sprinting through fields and hiding in the rocks, but she is also deeply manipulative. Her favorite phrase in the film seems to be "It’s your fault." She refuses to take an ounce of responsibility for her life.
“Heathcliff is me, but marrying Heathcliff would degrade me.”
She doesn’t choose with her heart; she chooses with her head. When she meets Edgar (Shazad Latif), she falls for his clean, wealthy, and massive home. She chooses the silk and the feast over the man. Yet, the moment Heathcliff reappears, she discards her husband’s feelings and dives headfirst into her "sick love."
The Supporting Cast: Envy and Obsession
The misery isn’t limited to the leads. Nelly (Hong Chau), despite being from a decent family, acts more like a bitter caretaker. I sensed a deep envy in her — she resents that Cathy can marry while she cannot. She makes selfish decisions just to keep her comfortable room and her place in Edgar’s house.
Then there is Isabella (Alison Oliver). Her scenes are genuinely disturbing. She’s unhinged, obsessed with reading plays and making dolls, but it’s her enthusiasm for watching executions that really sets the tone for this "dark" adaptation. She starts by seeing Cathy as a friend out of boredom, only to turn into a bitter rival.
A Visual and Sexualized Nightmare
The cinematography is aggressive. There is an overwhelming amount of scarlet and crimson — red dresses, red floors, red ribbons. Is it passion or just a warning of the bloodshed to come?
The creative choices are often grotesque. Cathy’s room was designed to match her skin tone, even replicating her birthmark on the walls. It felt voyeuristic and bizarre. Even the house itself, Wuthering Heights, is a cold, black-tiled mess.
There is a moment that perfectly summarizes the film: Cathy is freezing, and instead of bringing firewood, Heathcliff breaks a chair and throws it into the fireplace. He is only capable of breaking things — never building or warming them.
The film also suffers from excessive sexualization. From the main characters to a "shocking" scene in the stables involving minor characters, it feels like the director was obsessed with being "edgy" rather than faithful.
Final Thoughts
This adaptation strays so far from Emily Brontë’s text that many scenes might be confusing to newcomers. Characters are cut, the ending is altered, and it feels like they are setting up a "Part 2" that shouldn’t exist.
The only thing I truly liked? The nature. The landscapes are beautiful.
In the end, Cathy and Heathcliff are a tornado and a hurricane. They sweep everything away and leave nothing but ruins. It was a depressing experience. Honestly, I’m going to rewatch Jane Eyre immediately just to wash away all this filth and forget this nightmare.
Insider Tip: to wash away the "filthy" feeling of this reimagining and return to the true Victorian elegance, you need to surround yourself with the original Brontë atmosphere. If you need a collector’s edition of the book, gothic home decor, or scented candles with fast shipping to restore your aesthetic peace, you can find the best literary and home goods via Amazon Books & Home Store. Professional decor is the best "Plan B" to ensure your home feels like a sanctuary, not a black-tiled Wuthering Heights!
Instead of dwelling on the dark and toxic moors of this film, I prefer to focus on creating things that bring genuine joy and value. If you need a little “aesthetic recovery” after all that cinematic gloom, you might find something for yourself here:
- visit my Redbubble shop: where you can find something cute, cool, or just beautiful to brighten your day (and your wardrobe).
- check out my Gumroad profile: if you’re looking for something more useful, practical, and truly essential for your creative journey.
Do you think this "bold" departure from the Brontë classic is acceptable for a modern audience, or has Emerald Fennell officially killed the mystery of the Byronic hero? Did Jacob Elordi's performance leave you inspired by his intensity or just wanting to take a shower? Let's discuss this controversial adaptation in the comments!
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