A Fresh Take on Wuthering Heights

I've been meaning to read the original novel by Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, for years, but I just couldn't get into it. I've seen over 30 adaptations, including the famous one with Timothy Dalton, but none of them really caught my attention... until I saw that it was being remade in 2026 with my beloved Margot Robbie. To be honest, I only decided to watch it because of her.

Rating: I was drawn into the new adaptation of Wuthering Heights despite its relatively low rating on Kinopoisk. It's been a while since I've been to the movies, and this film was definitely worth the trip.Director: Emerald Fennell's work really impressed me. Wuthering Heights was both a discovery and an eye-opener for me.

Genre: I'm not exactly a fan of melodramas, but Wuthering Heights really got to me. It was one of those films that left me feeling raw and exposed, much like another film about a similar kind of toxic love that I saw a while back.

Runtime: and that's exactly why I watched Wuthering Heights in one sitting, no breaks needed. 136 minutes

I have to say, this adaptation took some liberties with the original story. Plot: it's not your average take on the Brontë classic.

On his way home, Mr. Earnshaw picks up a young orphan on the side of the road. That's how Heathcliff ends up with a home, a family, and a close friend - Catherine, the master's daughter. They're inseparable, and as they grow up, Catherine and Heathcliff become each other's rock.

Now, I'm not saying the plot is entirely different from the original novel, but it's definitely more focused on the romance between Catherine and Heathcliff. The filmmakers simplified the story by reducing the number of characters - they got rid of the cruel brother and turned the father into a drunk, abusive man. It's a more straightforward love story compared to the original.

What really drew me in was the way the new adaptation of Wuthering Heights made me feel a deep sense of empathy for the characters. I mean, it's not just about being sympathetic - it's about feeling like you're right there with them, experiencing their struggles and triumphs. And for me, that's what sets this version apart from the book. It's not about the number of characters, the sets, the costumes, or even the atmosphere. It's about the fact that I genuinely felt bad for Catherine and Heathcliff. They didn't deserve to end up the way they did.CAST AND ROLES:

1. Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw was absolutely phenomenal. She brought a depth and vulnerability to the character that made me feel like I was watching a real person struggle with her inner demons.

Margot Robbie's performance was truly captivating. She played Catherine as a woman torn apart by her own inner conflicts. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion - you knew it was going to end badly, but you couldn't look away. The way she portrayed Catherine's inner turmoil was raw and honest, and it made me feel like I was right there with her, experiencing her pain and heartache. One of the things that really stood out to me was the way the film portrayed Catherine's father, Hindley. In the book, he's a cruel and abusive man, but in the film, he's more of a pathetic, drunken mess. It's a subtle but significant difference, and it really adds to the overall sense of tragedy that pervades the story. The film's portrayal of the Earnshaw's decaying estate and the possibility of escape through a good marriage is also a powerful commentary on the societal pressures that women faced during this time period. It's a bleak and unforgiving world, but it's also a reminder that there's always hope for a better life, as long as you're willing to take a chance and pursue it.

I have to say, it's really sweet. This movie has been a part of my life since I was a kid, and I've always had a soft spot for the main character. The way the movie portrays their relationship is just so relatable.

I think the young actress who played Catherine as a kid did an amazing job of capturing those first moments of connection.

The chemistry between Owen Cooper (young Heathcliffe) and the main character is just incredible.

The kid who plays the awkward adopted son is just so natural in the role. He's got this weird mix of vulnerability and passion that's just captivating.

But Jacob Elordi (Heathcliffe) was a bit of a letdown for me. He came across as too polished and aristocratic to play the role of a passionate wild card, especially when he returns to the mansion after 5 years of wandering. What really caught me off guard was how the unconventional design sometimes hinted at a deeper madness in its eyes.

Especially in the final scenes with Isabella - this was a guy who'd gone all in, with nothing left to lose...

4. Nelly (Hong Chau) was another casting choice that raised some eyebrows at first glance - an Asian actress in a role that seemed to be written for someone else.

Despite that, she nailed the atmospheric character - but what really drove her actions? Was she motivated by a desire to do the right thing, or was she fueled by jealousy and a need for revenge? Did she truly regret her actions, or was she convinced of her own righteousness?

5. Another nod to European storytelling was Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton.

I have to say, I was expecting a young, fiery European, but instead, we get a passionate and loving husband, played by Isabella Linton in the form of Alison Oliver. At first, she seemed a bit off to me - too over-the-top and immature, almost like a teenager.

But it wasn't until the end that I realized it was a deliberate choice by the director. I mean, a mentally healthy girl wouldn't let someone treat her like that!

As for the supporting actors, they're all in their right places, especially the owner of the Stormy Pass and Catherine's biological father and Heathcliff's stepfather - he's just despicable.

ATMOSPHERE: This new adaptation of Wuthering Heights isn't a gothic romance - it's missing that dark, moody atmosphere. Instead of a haunting atmosphere achieved through layered settings and descriptions, the focus is on sensuality, bordering on animalistic.

The over-the-top decorations and costumes only add to the film's kitschy charm. Let's be real, who wouldn't want to see a latex dress and oversized accessories in a serious sci-fi movie? It's all about creating an atmosphere that's on the edge of sanity, like the characters' minds and hearts.

MUSIC: The film's soundtrack, courtesy of Anthony B. Willis, perfectly complements the surreal atmosphere. It's like the music is existing in two spaces at once.

MY THOUGHTS: I'll say it again – despite the characters not matching the book's description, and the atmosphere being different from the novel, I still enjoyed the film.

1) The visceral, sometimes even gritty scenes are justified. Emily Brontë, writing in Victorian England, wouldn't have dared to publish such explicit content, at least not back then.

I have to admit, I've never been a believer in heroes who've spent years consumed by passion, only to have it remain strictly platonic.

Especially after a long hiatus, where they've been living a very different life. Catherine with her husband, and Heathcliffe - whoever he's paired with.2) Love on the Edge of Madness. I'm a sucker for stories where emotions, even if they're wrong and socially unacceptable, are raw and unapologetic. We've been walking around in a moral bubble for far too long, pretending to be normal and adequate.

We all know about abuse, red flags, and emotional rollercoasters. And in real life, they're not exactly something to aspire to. So let's be honest, on screen, let's see what we've been too afraid to confront in our own lives. Raw, painful, and emotionally charged - that's what I want to see!

3) Acting Performance. While the kids and their antics initially won me over, watching the adult actors in the trailer left me feeling skeptical.

But by the middle of the movie, I was completely over the fact that Margot Robbie is older than her co-star and twice as old as her character, that Heathcliff lacks a dark beauty, and that the Edgars and Nellies are of a different race.

I was waiting for the resolution, and naively hoping that the director had reworked the novel, giving the characters a chance...

4) Emotional tension. The novel Wuthering Heights paints a dark, oppressive picture of a classic gothic tale, growing heavier and darker. The adaptation doesn't let you relax, but here, the sensual gloom always has a bitter taste of tragedy.

From the very first frames, you understand that the weak-willed alcoholic didn't leave these kids a chance to be happy. And they'll survive without each other. In luxury and wealth, but without their own souls, which they gave to each other as children.

Honestly, I've got nothing negative to say about this film. It was a powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking ride that left me breathless. And what's more important in cinema than connecting with your heart?I'm going against the critics and the naysayers to give this new adaptation of 'The Storm Breaker' a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I'll definitely be rewatching it when it's available in HD. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but if you don't mind a little rough-around-the-edges storytelling and you're looking for a passionate love story, then give it a shot!

PLUSES:

- the acting is top-notch;

- the atmosphere is so immersive;

- the director's vision is creative and bold, with some amazing contrast shots.

MINUSES:

- it's not for the faint of heart...