The newly released 2026 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel “Wuthering Heights,” directed by Emerald Fennel, is likely the most infuriating attempt at adapting a classic novel I have ever watched. It acts in contrast to everything the novel does right, has nothing to say and handles its darker elements with a surprising lack of grace.
The film follows a destructive romance between Catherine Earnshaw and a boy who her father brings home one day, Heathcliff. As the two are embroiled in a passionate and painful play at love, the story grows more toxic over the course of the movie as the two sacrifice everything to continue a relationship that acts to the detriment of both.
The novel’s characters, which are realistic, empowering and well written, are all individually ruined in unique ways in the adaptation. The actors, each of which have proven themselves quite talented, all give their weakest performances in this film, though it is hard to tell if that is due to the actors phoning it in or the film’s poor writing. There isn’t a single character among them who isn’t reduced to a caricature of their novel counterparts, acting in a way almost insulting to Brontë’s classic.
The film’s R rating is anything but unwarranted, as the film revels in its darker themes and rarely shies away from more repulsive subject matter such as domestic violence and sexual assult. Unlike better examples of such, the film has nothing to say about these darker themes other than pointing at them and saying how horrible they are. In a particularly poorly written case, one of these darker themes is portrayed as nothing more than a joke. Oftentimes, “Wuthering Heights” reduces despicable acts like domestic abuse to a bit, portraying them in a way that resembles some vague attempt at humor. These "jokes," however, aren't funny, much like every other attempt at humor within the film.
With these darker aspects, you would expect the film to portray itself as a horrid tragedy, much like the classic novel. At multiple points throughout the movie, the film portrays itself instead as some Shakespearean drama, without the clever writing or self-awareness that comes along with such.
Darker themes have their place in film, but not in the way “Wuthering Heights” is attempting to demonstrate. The movie revels in its depravity and sexuality, but as aforementioned, these aspects have absolutely nothing to say. These scenes feel voyeuristic in nature, as they don’t further any theme or meaning.
Admittedly, I have not finished Brontë’s classic novel in its entirety myself, though I have discussed the movie with multiple people who have. It is because of this that I will keep discussion of its merits as an adaptation to a minimum. The only reason I feel confident to discuss it in the first place is because the movie itself often feels as if it hasn’t finished the book either.
Fennel’s “Wuthering Heights” only adapts the first half of the book and doesn’t give an attempt at covering the book’s themes. The whitewashing of Heathcliff acts to further prove this, as it directly contradicts his description in the novel as well as his character’s direction. The worst part of this is one of the film’s main themes is that the cycle of abuse cannot be broken, a sentiment contradicted entirely by the main theme of the novel. The novel is empowering, while the film is depraved and hopeless. Unlike the book, the movie has nothing to say, and it certainly doesn’t have anything to offer.
Never before now have I felt so uncomfortable during the process of watching a movie, but I would be remiss not to mention the film’s limited redeeming qualities. The cinematography, much like Fennell’s other works, is impressive on occasion. The soundtrack of “Wuthering Heights,” produced by artist Charli xcx, is listenable in a vacuum, though its poor placement within the movie often acts to the scene’s tonal detriment.
1/5 – If looking for a good romance, a good adaptation or a good film, look elsewhere.
I could not recommend this film under any circumstances. Especially if you happen to be a fan of Emily Brontë’s novel, stay away by all means. There are far better romances, and far better films in theaters currently.
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Foster Mayhall, a freshman currently undeclared in engineering, is from Dothan, Alabama. He has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the spring of 2026.
