- Primary Subject: The first reactions to Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights
- Key Update: Social media reactions to Wuthering Heights have surfaced online after early screenings.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 4, 2026
- Quick Answer: Early reviews suggest the film is a visually stunning, "horny," and "toxic" reimagining that prioritizes atmospheric yearning and explosive lead chemistry over strict period accuracy.
Critics have weighed in on the new Emerald Fennell film Wuthering Heights as the first reactions from early screenings surfaced online.
The romantic drama has been one of the most highly anticipated new movie releases this year. It is set to arrive in theaters just in time for Valentine's Day. While the trailer promises lush visuals and an electric chemistry between Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, people are still hoping that the film will live up to the hype.
Is Wuthering Heights Worth Watching? Here's What the Critics Said
Several critics, pundits, and influencers have shared their first reactions to Fennell's Wuthering Heights after watching it at early screenings.
While the review won't be lifted until closer to its release date, they were allowed to post their reaction on social media and weigh in on whether the hype for the film is worth it.
Fortunately, the majority of the early reactions have been positive. They highlighted the visuals, Fennell's direction, Robbie and Elordi's chemistry, and the soundtrack from Charli XCX. Interestingly, there were not many criticisms of the changes to the source material.
Here are some of the early reactions:
Scott Mendelson of Puck News called the film a "large-scale retelling of a small(er)-scale melodrama, with all the big-budget production value and cinematic style value we once took for granted, it works on its own terms as a nuanced romantic tragedy."
Critic and journalist Courtney Howard praised Wuthering Heights as "a god-tier new classic. Intoxicating, transcendent, tantalizing, bewitching, lust worthy, hypnotic. Expertly captures the breathtaking ache & essence of desire. Sandgren’s cinematography, spellbinding. Davies’ production design, sublime."
Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture noted in his reaction that the film "feels entirely singular and you’ll either love her bold, colorful approach or not" and "the passion, desire, and heartbreak are as vivid and overwhelming as the striking design choices crafted" by the crew.
Anne Thompson of IndieWire praised the new film as "a rip-roaring, bodice-ripping crowd-pleaser. Both Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie will come out ahead. Audiences will fall for Emerald Fennell's garish visuals and unrestrained direction. Everything is BIG."
It will be interesting to see whether the film manages to maintain its positive buzz closer to release as more reviews and reactions arrive in the coming days.
What to Expect in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights
Based on the classic Emily Brontë novel, Wuthering Heights follows 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.
Aside from Robbie (who is also producing) and Elordi, the cast includes Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, and Ewan Mitchell. Fennell wrote and directed the film.
It is set to arrive in theaters this February 13, just in time for Valentine's Day. The novel has been adapted into films and TV shows many times throughout the past century, most notably the 1992 version starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche.
Keep it locked on Epicstream, your go-to site for film, TV, and celebrity coverage!