Outline:
A New Take on a Classic
Emerald Fennell, the director of the upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, recently sat down with Fandango to discuss the unique decision to include quotation marks in the title. The film features Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, two of the most iconic characters from Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel.
Fennell, known for her work on Saltburn and Promising Young Woman, explained that the quotation marks were not just a stylistic choice but a reflection of her approach to the story. She told the outlet, “The thing for me is you can’t adapt a book as dense and complicated and difficult as this book. I can’t say I’m making Wuthering Heights. It’s not possible.”
This perspective also helps explain why the trailer for “Wuthering Heights” describes the film as “inspired by the greatest love story,” rather than being based directly on Brontë’s novel, which many consider more of a tragedy than a traditional romance.
Reimagining the Story
Fennell elaborated further, saying, “What I can say is I’m making a version of it. There’s a version that I remembered reading that isn’t quite real. And there’s a version where I wanted stuff to happen that never happened. And so it is Wuthering Heights, and it isn’t.” This statement highlights her creative freedom in reinterpreting the classic tale.
However, Fennell’s adaptation has already sparked controversy. One point of contention is Elordi playing Heathcliff, despite not being of Romani descent, as some believe Heathcliff to have been. Additionally, Margot Robbie, who is 35, was criticized for playing Cathy, a character who dies at 19 in the novel. Fennell confirmed to British Vogue that she aged up the character for the movie.
Character Interpretation and Creative Choices
Fennell described Cathy as someone who pushes boundaries, telling the BBC, “Cathy is somebody who just pushes to see how far she can go.” She added that Robbie, a star with “a power, an otherworldly power, a Godlike power,” was the perfect fit for the role.
Another area of debate is the costuming in “Wuthering Heights.” The film’s style does not align with the late 1700s and early 1800s setting of the novel. Instead, the more Victorian-era costumes, combined with the quotation marks in the title, inspired TikToker Jamie McAleney’s viral theory that the film might be about a reader imagining themselves in the role — rather than a direct adaptation of the book itself.
A Romantic Twist
Despite these differences, Fennell’s vision for “Wuthering Heights” remains rooted in Brontë’s original story of yearning and woe. However, the film will be seen through her unique lens. Robbie, who previously hinted that fans should expect a true romance different from Fennell’s salacious Saltburn, told British Vogue, “Everyone’s expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised.”
She continued, “Not to say there aren’t sexual elements and that it’s not provocative — it definitely is provocative — but it’s more romantic than provocative.” According to Robbie, the film is an epic romance that brings back the emotional intensity of stories like The Notebook and The English Patient.
“This is a big epic romance,” she said. “It’s just been so long since we’ve had one — maybe The Notebook, also The English Patient. You have to go back decades. It’s that feeling when your chest swells or it’s like someone’s punched you in the guts and the air leaves your body. That’s a signature of Emerald’s. Whether it’s titillating or repulsion, her superpower is eliciting a physical response.”
Final Thoughts
Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” is not just a retelling of a classic novel; it’s a bold reinterpretation that challenges traditional expectations. With its unique visual style, casting choices, and thematic focus, the film promises to offer audiences a fresh perspective on a beloved story. As the release date approaches, fans and critics alike are eager to see how this new version of Wuthering Heights will resonate with viewers.