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Emerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ Draws Divided Early Reviews Ahead of Feb. 13 Release

Early reception is sharply divided over style, sexuality, fidelity to Brontë, casting.

Overview

  • New reviews from major outlets on Feb. 9–10 commend the film’s lavish production design, striking costumes, and the on-screen pull of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
  • Critics fault broad liberties with Emily Brontë’s novel, noting a condensed storyline that favors the early chapters and a glossy, romance-forward tone.
  • Debate over casting intensifies as reviewers and fans question the erasure of the book’s racialized depiction of Heathcliff, even as Fennell’s team frames the film as a personal reimagining focused on class.
  • Anachronistic choices draw attention, including stylized sets and gowns, a contemporary Charli XCX soundtrack, and the title presented in quotation marks to signal a reinterpretation.
  • The Warner Bros. release opens in theaters Feb. 13 with an R rating and a 136‑minute runtime.