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February 16, 2026
Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is big movie with a very small mind
The maximalist adaptation of the gothic romance shows great interest in production design but very little in character
TL;DR
- Emerald Fennell's film adaptation of Wuthering Heights emphasizes visual extravagance and anachronistic style over adherence to the novel.
- The film is noted for its provocative and maximalist approach, employing shocking imagery and scenes of overt sensuality.
- Critics point to a lack of depth in character development, especially concerning the female characters, who are portrayed as one-dimensional or shallow.
- Fennell's directorial style, seen in previous films like Saltburn and Promising Young Woman, favors visual impact and shock value, often at the expense of narrative or character coherence.
- Despite its aesthetic merits and provocative content, the adaptation is criticized for its "small mind" and failure in romantic imagination, reducing complex emotions to "childish" or adolescent impulses.
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