Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights”
Movie Review by Dennis D. McDonald
Going in, I knew nothing about this film. I’ve never read the novel and I’ve never seen the previous film versions. But I’ve seen Margot Robbie in Birds of Prey, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and A Big Bold Beautiful Journey and could not resist seeing her again on the big screen.
This film is terrific. It cleverly navigates a fine line between trash and class via superb production design, spectacular photography and scene composition, a clever script, and excellent acting.
By now themes like forbidden love and class enmity are pretty old hat. Director Fennell peppers the film with lots of sighs, heavy breathing, and sensuality. Yet she forces us to—almost—take seriously old-fashioned gothic themes like forbidden love and class warfare.
There’s also a sprinkling of humor. I found myself often smiling at the director’s willingness to use overbearing and gorgeous imagery to reinforce what is by now a somewhat hackneyed tale of shameful and forbidden love.
My advice: see this in a theater on a really big screen. It’s a fun film!
Review copyright (c) 2026 by Dennis D. McDonald
