Plot Summary: A passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.

Director: Emerald Fennell

Writers: Emerald Fennell, Emily Bronte

Runtime: 2 hours 16 mins

• Margot Robbie as Cathy
• Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff
• Hong Chau as Nelly
• Ewan Mitchell as Joseph

Review by: Samuel

As they reach adulthood, the family’s circumstances take a dark turn. Catherine’s father, now a gambling addict, has squandered their fortune. To save her family’s future, Catherine chooses to marry a wealthy neighbor despite her love for Heathcliff. Heartbroken, Heathcliff vanishes, only to return years later as a wealthy, refined, and powerful man. The stage is set for an intense, emotionally charged love triangle as Catherine finds herself torn between her devotion to her husband and her undeniable connection to her first love.

What I Liked:

This film, like all films, had things that worked and didn’t work. However, I don’t have too much to actually delve into because what worked/didn’t work was so specific/succinct. In fact, I’m going to list them as bullet points here because I think that will make it better to digest. 

• Electric Lead Chemistry: The heartbeat of this film is the connection between Robbie and Elordi. Their chemistry is versatile—comedic, magnetic, and deeply emotional. You stop seeing them as actors and start seeing them as the characters. They perfectly capture a “soul-mate” energy that makes you believe their souls are truly incomplete without each other.
• Balanced Emotional Rollercoaster: The film navigates through intense jealousy, bitterness, and toxic selfishness, but handles these elements in a way that feels rooted in a desperate act of love rather than just malice.
• Surprising Comedy: Despite the heavy themes, the movie is surprisingly funny. The characters are eccentric, particularly Allison Oliver as Isabella, who steals every scene she is in with hilarious delivery and quirks.
• The “Glow Up” & Aesthetic: Jacob Elordi’s transformation upon his return is a massive highlight. He has a full Count of Monte Cristo moment upon his return which highlights one of the film’s biggest strengths- the aesthetic.  l The wardrobe and set design are top-tier, seamlessly transporting the audience back to the era with a polished, high-production feel.

What I Did Not Like:

• Barely An Adaptation: Fans of the original Brontë novel should be warned: this is a very loose interpretation. Beyond the names and locations, the story is largely original and takes a much more mature, raunchy approach than the source material. You are not in for a gothic revenge tale; if you want an adaptation of the book, you will need to look elsewhere. 
• The “Nelly” Problem: This is personal- I really disliked this character. Nearly every tragedy in the film can be traced back to a decision made by the character Nelly. While the actress portrays her brilliantly, the character herself is incredibly frustrating to watch.
• Niche Appeal: The core of the movie is a specific, one-sided love triangle. If the “childhood lovers torn apart by duty” trope doesn’t capture you early on, the conflict might feel repetitive.

Images Courtesy of IMDB