‘A new first-class classic’: First reactions to Wuthering Heights hail ‘hot and sexy’ Emerald Fennell adaptation | Wuthering Heights

RViewing may be off until next Monday, but Los Angeles social media is hot under the collar after an early screening of Emerald Fennell’s highly anticipated film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights.

“Intoxicating, transcendent, sexy, enchanting, lust-worthy, hypnotic,” Courtney Howard wrote, adding that the film “brilliantly depicts the incredible pain and essence of desire” and “is a new classic of the first order.”

Another user described the film as “enchanting” and “gorgeous”, overusing nouns rather than adjectives, and described it as “a beautiful mess of passion, destruction, lust, revenge and deranged behaviour. Throw the book away and get into the frenzy of undeniable chemistry and explosive, toxic desire.”

Veteran film writer Anne Thompson predicted that the film “will open well and soar at the box office,” calling it “a loud, crowd-pleasing thriller. Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie will lead the way. Audiences will fall in love with Emerald Fennell’s garish visuals and uninhibited direction. It’s all big.”

Box office expert Scott Mendelsohn agreed, saying the film was “terrific” and praised its “big-budget production value and cinematic stylistic value that we previously took for granted” but also suggested “it works on its own terms as a delicate romantic tragedy.”

Brandon Norwood sounded a slight note of caution, calling the film “too long,” but saying its stars “are explosive together. Their chemistry jumps off the screen.” “And yes, it is hot,” he confirms. “She’s horny.”

Fennell’s film has already been met with some skepticism by Brontë supporters due to its outdated approach to costume design, its apparent embrace of BDSM, and the casting of 35-year-old Robbie as 19-year-old Cathy and the white Elordi as Heathcliff, a character generally understood to be of gypsy origin.

“There’s a tremendous amount of sadomasochism in this book. There’s a reason people are deeply shocked by it,” Fennell defended her approach, stressing that her adaptation is a personal act, one among many things.

“The great thing about this movie is that it could be made every year and it would still be very poignant and interesting,” she said. “There are so many different takes. I think every year we should have a new idea.”

The film will be released worldwide on February 13.