Wuthering Heights (2026)

Wuthering Heights is directed by Emerald Fennell, known for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, and opens with a striking image that immediately signals this will not be a conventional adaptation of the classic novel. The film remains faithful to several of the book's narrative choices, particularly in how it lingers on the characters' early years before fully embracing the central tragedy. While this approach accurately reflects the source material, the pacing occasionally suffers, with several montages and extended childhood sequences lasting longer than necessary. One element that works especially well is the portrayal of Catherine and Heathcliff's adoptive father, whose volatile temper contrasts sharply with the affection he shows the two children, echoing one of the novel's stronger character dynamics.

Margot Robbie, known for Barbie and I, Tonya, delivers one of the strongest performances of her career as Catherine. She captures the character's passion, stubbornness, and emotional conflict with remarkable confidence, carrying many of the film's most memorable scenes. Robbie never loses sight of Catherine's complexity, making it easy to understand both her strengths and her flaws.

Jacob Elordi, known for Euphoria and Priscilla, gives a stronger performance here than in Frankenstein. The film intentionally spends a significant portion of its runtime away from Heathcliff after his departure, mirroring the structure of the novel and emphasizing how time apart deepens the emotional bond between the two leads. Elordi makes that return feel worthwhile, bringing a greater sense of maturity and emotional weight to the character.

Alison Oliver, known for Conversations with Friends and Saltburn, may not have the flashiest role in the film as Isabella, but her performance deserves more recognition than it is likely to receive. She quietly contributes to the emotional texture of the story without demanding attention, making her work one of the film's more underrated strengths.

Overall, Wuthering Heights is a thoughtful adaptation that occasionally sacrifices pacing in favor of faithfully developing its characters. While a tighter edit could have improved the film's momentum, the excellent performances, particularly from Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, make the journey worthwhile. Looking back, I felt as though I made a mistake, this feels like a film that deserved to be experienced on the big screen. Wuthering Heights is a surprisingly effective adaptation that rewards patience. Result: B+

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