Wuthering Heights Review: The Tedious Love Story of Two Mad Lovers With A Modern Touch

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ 2/5*

Wuthering Heights Review MovieTalkies:

I am probably one of those rare people who genuinely dislike Wuthering Heights. Even though William Wyler is one of my all-time favorite filmmakers, I have always held a grudge against him for making Wuthering Heights (1939). That said, a couple of Hindi adaptations have worked better for me. Although I never adored the original source material, Jugnu (1947) and Dillagi (1949) felt far more engaging because of the changes they made. Many ’90s viewers would remember Dhadkan (2000), which borrowed from Wuthering Heights and altered the climax to suit our sensibilities. After all these adaptations, I finally got to watch another modern take on the story—only to dislike it yet again, despite its lavish presentation and updated treatment.

Wuthering Heights Story:

I won’t recount the plot since almost everyone already knows it. Instead, I’d rather focus on what bothers me: the characters and their choices. For me, it’s a tale of two foolish lovers who consistently make the wrong decisions and then spend their lives drowning in regret. They don’t just err once—they repeat their mistakes endlessly, corrupting something as pure as love. Heathcliff once says, “I won’t play with you anymore,” and for a fleeting moment, you admire his maturity. But from there on, he behaves immaturely for the rest of his life. Catherine chooses Edgar, fully aware of what she’s doing—so why blame Nelly later? She had already made her decision, and Heathcliff would have left regardless. What difference could she truly have made? Isabella knowingly steps into disaster and then becomes almost like his pet—are we really meant to sympathize? Her behavior feels childish and irrational. Edgar, too, keeps himself trapped in a loveless situation. For a wealthy and intelligent man, his choices feel painfully naive and foolish. And Heathcliff—did he have nothing else to do in life? Did he earn enough in five years to survive on vengeance forever?

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This modern version is far darker and far more intense than the original. It contains several explicit and excessively intimate moments. In 1939, Wyler was restricted by the movie code; explicit sexual content was impossible. In 2026, however, such scenes seem almost mandatory, especially for a Valentine’s weekend release. So why would this film hold back? There are moments showing Margot Robbie pleasuring herself, Jacob Elordi tasting her finger afterward, multiple passionate kisses, and Alison Oliver baring herself in several scenes. The first half maintains a solid grip, but the second half becomes exhausting—just as the story has always been for me. Heath and Cath's repetitive emotional chaos drains the energy until her death finally arrives. Technically, though, there are some beautifully romantic scenes. One striking image I won’t forget is a husband painting a wall to match the blush of his wife’s cheek.

Wuthering Heights Cast:

As for performances, the cast does well. Margot Robbie looks stunning and handles the demanding arc impressively. Jacob Elordi is convincingly charming at first and then terrifying as his character spirals into rage. Alison Oliver fits naturally into her unconventional role, while Hong Chau makes every moment count despite limited dialogue. Martin Clunes and Ewan Mitchell are adequate in their parts. Shazad Latif is another notable performer in the lott.

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Wuthering Heights Movie Review:

The cinematography shines in select sequences, though a few scenes feel poorly executed. The VFX is underwhelming. The background score supports even the dull stretches, and the production design is serviceable. However, the editing and pacing are major issues. The second half truly tests your patience. Since most viewers already know the story, you could technically walk out midway and miss nothing essential. Emerald Fennell gives the film a soft, romantic sheen, which might appeal to die-hard fans. But if you’re looking for intelligent storytelling or layered characters, this is far from satisfying and decent cinema. Rather, it's indecent I'd say. Thankfully, it wasn’t unbearably dull, and it didn’t completely ruin my mood, so I managed to sit through the 135 minutes. You could watch it with your partner and perhaps be swept away by its passion. But if either of you expects depth or sensible writing — she or you can say, "We are doomed."

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