Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights starring Margot Robbie as the fiery Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as the tumultuous Heathcliff, warmly greets viewers with its vivid energy. The film begins with a powerful scene of a public hanging that stirs the crowd, setting the tone for a story full of intense romance intertwined with moments of cruelty, longing, and deep desire that span generations. It’s a passionate story that embraces wildness, using the moors as a dramatic backdrop for characters driven by intense feelings and devotion.
Robbie’s Cathy enters the story with a vibrant spirit that can’t be contained. Her close bond with the young boy her father brings home—renamed Heathcliff to honor her late brother—becomes the heart of the film. Fennell explores the novel’s intense violence but presents it with a fresh perspective, showing how toxic masculinity can stem from wounds that never truly heal. Elordi’s Heathcliff embodies those scars in every movement, breath, and desperate reach for Cathy, a force that almost seems to threaten to overwhelm them both.
The early parts of the film lovingly showcase the childhood of Owen Cooper and Charlotte Mellington, who portray the young Heathcliff and Cathy. Their tenderness forms a heartfelt foundation that makes their later struggles even more poignant. When Heathcliff takes the blame for their late return and is whipped, leaving a lasting scar, the film subtly introduces the deep-seated anger that will influence his journey. Fennell thoughtfully uses this scene to explore a moving question: can love truly endure when it begins amidst pain?
Years later, Wuthering Heights struggles due to Mr. Earnshaw’s battle with alcoholism and gambling, leading Cathy to dream of escape. Enter n Edgar Linton, bringing wealth, refinement, and the hope of stability. Cathy’s wish to elevate Heathcliff into high society through her marriage to Edgar highlights her ambitions and her deep longing. Meanwhile, Heathcliff’s jealousy steadily increases, and the film gently illustrates how love can sometimes turn into a sense of possession when rooted in fear.
Robbie’s performance really hits a high point when Cathy stays at Thrushcross Grange. Her ankle injury draws her into Edgar’s world, and her change into a woman of luxury creates a gap between her and Heathcliff. When she comes home dressed beautifully, Heathcliff’s distant reaction sparks a series of choices that will stay with every character. Fennell gently stages their reunion on the moors, adding a sense of sensuality that deepens the film’s look at desire as both a source of hope and suffering.
The film’s middle act explores even deeper into the powerful themes of jealousy and revenge found in the novel. Heathcliff’s return, now wealthy and more hardened, brings a new intensity to the story. Elordi’s presence adds a sharper edge, and his scenes with Robbie are filled with palpable tension. Their affair blazes with a passionate force that threatens to unravel everyone around them. Isabella Linton, portrayed with a delicate glow by Alison Oliver, becomes a mirror for Heathcliff’s fury, stepping into a BDSM relationship that highlights the film’s interest in themes of power, submission, and how desire can sometimes cloud judgment.
Hong Chau’s Nelly Dean wonderfully grounds the tumult with a heartfelt performance full of loyalty, fear, and gentle sorrow. Her choice to burn Heathcliff’s letters to Cathy is truly heartbreaking and one of the most emotional moments in the film. Fennell thoughtfully uses this betrayal to show how love can be fragile and easily broken by secrets. As Cathy isolates herself and starves, the story becomes even more intense and heartbreaking, highlighting the deep toll of a love that pushes all boundaries.
B
Fennell’s adaptation offers a fresh take by merging the intense, generational violence of the second half directly into the passionate Cathy‑Heathcliff relationship. This artistic choice creates a powerful, focused impact, even though it simplifies the story’s wider legacy. The film truly shines when it delves into the passionate, raw, and exhilarating moments shared by its characters. While it struggles a bit when trying to condense the novel’s rich complexity into a single storyline, even those moments hold a unique and captivating beauty.
Ultimately, Wuthering Heights becomes a passionate journey that never finds peace. Margot Robbie shines as Cathy, radiating intensity with every scene, while Jacob Elordi brings a haunting depth to Heathcliff that stays with you long after viewing. Emerald Fennell creates a portrayal of love that is all-consuming, sometimes painful, but also capable of renewal. The film is a powerful storm of longing and rage, beautifully capturing the essence of the original novel while carving out its own bold and passionate path.
Letter Grade: B+
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