Emerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ is not even in theaters yet, and the discourse surrounding it is already heated. With Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, the sensual, stylized adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel has elicited mixed reactions among audiences long before the general audience can form their own opinion.
Since the review embargo has been lifted, the response of critics has fallen squarely in the middle ground. However, in addition to professional criticism, the movie was also the victim of online review-bombing on websites like Letterboxd.
‘Wuthering Heights’ Triggers Sexy Style Vs. Emotional Substance Debate
The site at one point blocked user activity on the film temporarily, a move that was widely seen as an effort to curb early score manipulation before the release. The user ratings have since been reinstated, and the film currently holds a moderate average, suggesting a more balanced response is emerging. A lot of the criticism was due to the unapologetically bold creative decisions of Fennell.
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From casting decisions to a heightened erotic tone, this ‘Wuthering Heights‘ leans hard into melodrama and sensual intensity. To certain audiences, such treatment is a betrayal of the brooding, gothic sensibilities of Brontë. Those who dislike the adaptation claim that the complicated themes of the novel, such as racial tension, hierarchy of classes, and cruelty under the guise of romance, have been diluted or re-packaged in order to make the novel more blatantly about a love affair.
One of the first reviews called the movie’s focus on mutual acrimonious kink rather than the disturbing psychological undertones. Meanwhile, others warn against strict adherence to source material. Adaptation, however, is interpretation. Fennell, who is a provocative storyteller, does not seem to be concerned with the sanctity of literature but rather with her own interpretation of the story. Whether that’s sacrilege or reinvention seems to depend entirely on who you ask.
The Culture Of Pre-Release Judgment
The scandal also points to an emerging trend in contemporary fandom: the tendency to judge, and even condemn films, before they have even been released and seen by large audiences. Review-bombing is a common practice in online discussions, especially when casting or creative direction provokes ideological controversy.
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In this case, objections have ranged from the decision to “race-swap” Heathcliff to casting Robbie, older than Catherine in the novel, in the iconic role. To some fans, such decisions amount to unwarranted revisionism. To others, they are an effort to give a new twist to an old classic.
What is evident is that ‘Wuthering Heights’ has already done something that cannot be disputed: it has people talking. Whether viewers eventually accept or reject this feverish retelling, the moors have rarely felt this volatile.
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