Wuthering Heights

Even before this film made its way onto screens, its reputation preceded it. The internet has fuelled the fire of the several controversies surrounding this film, from the apparent white-washing of main character Heathcliff, to the insistence of marketing and trailers that it’s simply a “love story” (even being released the day before Valentine’s Day). As a result, plenty of question marks remain around the film, but regardless, huge audiences on either side of the debates are waiting with bated breath to finally watch it.

Here’s what we do know for sure: the film is an adaptation of the classic Gothic novel of the same name by Emily Brontë, an icon in its own right of British literature. Director Emerald Fennell has expressed her adoration for the book, but maintains she wanted to put her own spin on the story, leaning into the “darker” elements. Indeed, there are some hints this will be a much raunchier, perhaps even grittier take on the original story. However, with an entirely original soundtrack by pop brat Charli xcx and many misleading clues about the exact time period in which the story is set (notably the colourful mishmash of costumes which would’ve been completely alien to real Georgians), audiences are expecting a pretty bizarre viewing experience. Take into account that the lead characters are being played by two of the biggest Hollywood stars of the 2020s, and it’s clear this will be a film like no other.

Lily Sharp