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In this column, Regan discusses celebrity drama and controversies.
RIP Emily brontë: you would have hated wuthering heights
RIP Emily brontë: you would have hated wuthering heights
By Regan Snyder
By Regan Snyder
Book-to-film adaptations have been a staple of movie media since the late 1890s. The medium serves as a unique bridge between cinema and literature, offering entertainment to both readers and movie buffs alike. As prominent as they are, these films tend to be highly controversial. People can become defensive when they feel that their favorite novel is being misrepresented by a director. Recently, director Emerald Fennel has been experiencing massive amounts of criticism for her adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s novel, Wuthering Heights.
Published in 1847, Wuthering Heights was the first literary work of the second-oldest Brontë sister, Emily Brontë. The novel, considered a piece of gothic literature, tells the story of two families, the Lintons and Earnshaws, with an emphasis on the relationship between Catherine Linton and the Earnshaws’ foster son, Heathcliff. The story is generally not considered a romance and focuses mainly on themes of revenge, obsession, and social inequality. The book was considered highly radical at the time and, according to History Channel, Brontë “used fiction to shed light on structural and social problems like class and race, and to show how Victorian social norms politely obscured real violence.” Victorian critics argued that the book was immoral and vulgar, deeming it unfit for the general public. Although the messages of the book are much more acceptable today, the criticisms that Brontë makes are still applicable to modern society.
In July 2024, director Emerald Fennel, best known for her work on the hit films Saltburn and Promising Young Woman, announced that she would be leading an adaptation of Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. The ensuing trailer caused an avalanche of opinions, with many surprised by the direction Fennel seemed to be taking. The film appeared to be taking a stark turn from its source material. The trailer showcased a dark and sensuous romance between Cathy and Heathcliff, appearing much more vulgar than fans had anticipated. Many were alarmed by how the story was being portrayed and were left wondering how faithful the adaptation would prove to be.
The complaints did not end there. Fans also criticized the casting of Jacob Elordi, a white man, as Heathcliff. In the novel, Heathcliff is explicitly described as being a person of color, an attribute that largely contributes to his status as an outcast. His treatment is a testament to the prejudice of Victorian society and an invaluable part of Wuthering Heights’ thematic message. On top of this, the adaptation seemed to blatantly disregard Victorian fashion and instead opted for a mashup of different styles. In an interview with Vogue, the film's fashion designer, Jacqueline Durran, said that the fashion was influenced by “the Tudor period, the 1950s…Mugler and McQueen.” This medley of styles did not connect well with most fans and was largely seen as a cheap and uneducated design decision. Adding more fuel to the fire was the announcement that electropop musician Charli XCX would be making music for the film. Best known for her 2024 album Brat, Charli XCX is a 21st-century pop icon whom many fans could not imagine meshing well with such a serious period piece. Many were left wondering why Wuthering Heights was being used as source material at all.
Unfortunately for Fennel, the movie’s release did nothing to hinder the waves of criticism. Fennel responded to the hate, saying in an interview with Fandango, “I can’t say I’m making Wuthering Heights. It’s not possible. What I can say is I’m making a version of it.” She claimed that her vision was inspired by how she interpreted the book when she read it in high school. “There was a version I remembered reading that isn’t quite real,” she explained, “And there’s a version where I wanted stuff to happen that never happened.” Her explanation did little to change the public's opinion. The movie has been repeatedly ripped to shreds online and has likely been permanently sealed away into infamy. Emerald Fennel has a long way to go if she hopes to gain back public respect.
Book-to-movie adaptations are a tricky terrain to tackle for many directors. People care deeply about how their favorite books are treated, and it seems as though Emerald Fennel has crossed a line for many readers. Although some defended her film as a bold display of director creativity, many felt that her choices were insensitive and tacky. Regardless, her situation has certainly been a cautionary tale for future book-to-movie adaptors.
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