Wuthering Heights
UK Release Date: 13 February 2026
Director: Emerald Fennell
Cast: Hong Chau, Martin Clunes, Owen Cooper, Jacob Elordi, Shazad Latif, Charlotte Mellington, Ewan Mitchell, Amy Morgan, Alison Oliver, Margot Robbie
Runtime: 136 mins
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Review:
Throughout Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights there is a sonic presence felt, both from the soundtrack and the score. Off the back of cultural phenomenon, BRAT, Charli xcx writes and performs the film's original music. A complete career shift, reinventing herself for this companion album. A strange mix of gothic vocals and pop heavy instrumentation that somehow matches the tone of the film. There's an angelic and transcendent quality to the tracks Dying for You, Chains of Love and Open up, used expertly within the narrative. An ever-present element carried through to Anthony B. Willis' ethereal score.
Not only is Wuthering Heights audibly accomplished but also a breathtaking piece of visual cinema. Linus Sandgren once more showcases himself as one of the strongest cinematographers working today. His ability to extract vibrant colour in order to convey emotion is comparable only to established greats - with a style akin to the likes of Michael Ballhaus, Christopher Doyle and Luciano Tovoli. When it comes to colour, he clearly has an extensive skillset to tap into. There truly is gorgeous imagery in every frame. Aided in part by expertly, detailed production and set design, visibly bringing to life the 18th-century English backdrop.
Owen Cooper's performance as a young Heathcliff is another major standout of Wuthering Heights. In a cast that collectively shares four acting Oscar nominations, Cooper blows them away in his second on-screen role. Emphasises that the accolades he received for his debut, Adolescence, saw the emergence of a special talent.
All of those individual components combine to provide a wonderful visualisation of yearning. Easily swept up in the draw of infectious infatuation. Far more an angsty romance than the erotic, sexual vehicle that it promised to be. The film does also thematically grow to become increasingly mean spirited during the third act which makes what should be a gut-wrenching final montage seem slightly undeserved in an otherwise surprisingly, enjoyable experience.

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