WUTHERING HEIGHTS -- An Underwhelming, Yet Visually Stunning Gothic Love Story

Review by Chadd Clubine

Emerald Fennell made a striking debut as a director with 2020’s Promising Young Woman, then further cemented her distinctive style with Saltburn. Love it or hate it, Fennell deliberately crafts imagery designed to unsettle, lingering in the mind long after the credits roll. Her latest film, Wuthering Heights, continues that provocative trajectory—one that has firmly established her as a standout voice in contemporary cinema. Early reports from test screenings initially suggested trouble, but whether those concerns were overblown or addressed in the final cut, this is shaping up to be Fennell’s most divisive film yet.

The film’s first half feels plucked straight from a Tim Burton fever dream. Every beat is deliberate, steeped in a dreary atmosphere and propelled by a soaring score. While the introduction may not directly serve the larger narrative, it vividly establishes the tone and foreshadows what’s to come. Composer Anthony Willis strikes the film’s emotional core, while Charli XCX’s contributions inject a modern edge that refreshes the story. From there, the production design fully immerses the viewer in its gothic world, rich with precise, evocative detail. The cinematography frames each scene in striking, unexpected ways, while the sets and costume design deepen the sense of place, pulling the audience further into this haunting landscape.
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Emerald Fennell assembles the right talent to anchor the story, even if the characterization itself lacks sufficient depth. The chemistry between Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi is palpable and convincing, while their younger counterparts add welcome texture to their arcs. Adolescence’s Owen Cooper even makes a surprise appearance as a young Heathcliff. Robbie and Elordi’s shared intensity sells the illusion of two souls fated for one another. However, Fennell’s effort to complicate these characters often results in choices that feel inconsistent with their development, ultimately making it harder for the audience to fully connect with them.

By the time the second half arrives, the film’s momentum noticeably falters. The pacing slows, the tone grows muddled, and the narrative becomes increasingly predictable. Rather than taking bolder creative risks, Fennell opts for safer storytelling, resulting in a film that feels overly familiar—an unintended reminder of just how influential this story has been. For a filmmaker of Fennell’s stature, the material ultimately lacks the impact it promises. The film closes on an ambiguous note that feels less provocative than emotionally distant, leaving viewers uncertain of what the story is meant to convey. Whenever the film flirts with risk, it quickly pulls back, and despite its two-hour-and-ten-minute runtime, it never fully interrogates the motivations behind its characters’ actions. Without that deeper insight, the experience can feel curiously isolating rather than immersive.
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Regardless of how one ultimately feels about the film, Emerald Fennell once again proves adept at crafting work that sparks conversation and provokes emotion. It would be refreshing to see her return to more original material—something that allows her to feel less constrained by its source and more daring in its storytelling. Still, she succeeds in establishing a striking tone, drawing two compelling performances from her leads, and delivering some of the strongest cinematography of her career. Even so, the film’s purpose may feel elusive to some viewers, particularly as the second half slows and struggles to maintain its momentum.

Wuthering Heights is in theaters February 13th!

Rating: 3/5