Wuthering Heights (2026) Review: A bafflingly scattered yet eye-popping adaptation
In February 2026, I was able to check out all three romance films playing at my local Regal cinema: Solo Mio, Dracula: A Love Tale, and this new adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Unfortunately, none of them have been breakout hits. In this Reel Ranker review, I'll be delving into Wuthering Heights and exploring these questions: Is this a good adaptation of Brontë's original novel, and is it the best romance film of 2026 thus far?
To get the elephant in the room out of the way, no, this is not a very faithful adaptation of the original novel—it's a complete reimagining. With the liberties it takes, it's less of a classical gothic horror and more of a sexuality-exploring romance. The film tries to be full of romance, but it doesn't deliver the Valentine's Day smut-fest that some want, and it doesn't focus on the horror elements that others hoped for. The film constantly tries to justify the actions of the characters and bill the situation as a tragedy when, in the end, the only true tragedy is that the characters were so bewilderingly stupid that the only person I could even attempt to root for was Edgar, who literally did nothing wrong except have money and be normal.
The first half was certainly promising as a straightforward, romantic, more Hollywood-ized take on Wuthering Heights. While it didn't feel like a very interesting way to adapt the original, I was liking it enough. However, once the horror elements arrived, Cathy and Heathcliff began mistreating Isabella and Edgar. The film brushes this off as normal, expecting us to still root for the main relationship when they're being so destructive to those around them. The way they were presented truly sent the film downhill. The whole third act continues to spiral, with every passing minute becoming more baffling than the last. When the final shot presented itself, I couldn't feel sad, as the cinematography was trying to convey, because, frankly, as aforementioned, Edgar was the only character I was truly rooting for. This film felt like a fan-fiction of the original that tried to fill in holes of a horror story with romance elements, but instead misses the nuance entirely and leads to a Dramione-esque, 50 Shades of Grey type of story instead of what fans expect out of Wuthering Heights.
However, the film wasn't all bad. As aforementioned, the first half truly was rather solid, and, if it maintained the quality and consistency present there, I feel I would've enjoyed the film much more. The cinematography and performances were great all along, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi nailing their performances, even with a scatter-brained script. The chemistry between the two leads, while not contagious or electric, was commendable and one of the film's best elements. As somebody who was just introduced to Charli xcx through her recent mockumentary film, The Moment, her songs were one of the best elements of this film. While I didn't expect her music to complement the film's tone, it really accentuated the stylistic nature of the film. And, lastly, the production design and set design all created a fantastic, historic atmosphere that effectively transports the audience back in time.
The Reel Ranker Verdict
Reel or Unreel? - Unreel
The Reel Ranker Score: 35%
Letter Score: D
Star Ranking: 2 out of 5
Emerald Fennel's adaptation of Wuthering Heights is a cinematic anomaly. In an attempt to romanticize the film's gothic horror narrative, it fails to be the gothic horror tale it should be, and it fails as the surprisingly safe sex fantasy that it ends up as. With not enough emphasis on the horror or romance, this film sadly leaves a bad taste in my mouth and a bitter question at the tip of my tongue: What was this film even hoping to accomplish?
Interested in checking out my reviews for the two other February romance films I watched? Check them out below!
Brighton Nelson
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