What is the controversy surrounding Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights?

The controversy stems from the film's perceived focus on eroticism over intellectual depth and debates about whether it adequately represents the novel's complex themes.

Should I read Wuthering Heights before seeing the new movie adaptation?

Critics suggest that going into the film with only a vague recollection of the book, or even just a summary, may be beneficial for appreciating Fennell's adaptation on its own merits.

Does the new Wuthering Heights movie adapt the entire novel?

Some critics note that the adaptation omits the second half of the novel, which focuses on generational drama and societal changes, concentrating instead on the central romance.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Fennell's Wuthering Heights: New Adaptation Sparks Debate

Fennell's Wuthering Heights: New Adaptation Sparks Debate

11 Feb

•

Summary

New Wuthering Heights adaptation premieres Friday, sparking early controversy.
Critics debate reading the novel before seeing Emerald Fennell's film.
Adaptation focuses on eroticism, differing from the novel's complexity.

Fennell's Wuthering Heights: New Adaptation Sparks Debate

Emerald Fennell's highly anticipated adaptation of Wuthering Heights is generating significant discussion and controversy even before its official release this Friday. Early screenings have elicited a range of reactions from critics and influencers, with opinions sharply divided on the film's approach.

The discourse has been fueled by the film's provocative trailers and a perceived departure from the novel's intricate themes of class and history. Many are questioning whether the adaptation prioritizes an "erotic" aesthetic over the book's "intellectual value," particularly for a new generation encountering the story.

A central debate revolves around whether viewers should read Emily Brontë's 416-page novel prior to watching the film. Critics suggest that experiencing the movie first, with only a vague recollection of the book or even just a Wikipedia summary, might be more beneficial, allowing the film to be appreciated on its own merits.