Why Wuthering Heights has left Bronte superfans outraged

"Emerald Fennell's controversial adaptation of Wuthering Heights only crashed into cinemas this week but it's already a firm frontrunner for most divisive film of the year. The bodice-ripping blockbuster has split critics, cinema-goers and even the Independent's Culture Desk with its raunchy deviations from Emily Brontë's classic novel, 'whitewashed' casting and "pantomime-esque" performances from its leads. However, Fennell's take on Wuthering Heights has sparked the biggest divide within the global community of Brontë superfans - some of whom refuse to even watch the film."

"Since the film's racy first trailer dropped in September, literary fans have flocked to message boards and TikTok groups with their thoughts. While some were "open" to Fennell's hyper-sexualised interpretation, others - including BookTok influencer Kylee Smith - urged her to change the film's title. "I think this conversation wouldn't be happening if she just called the movie something else," Smith, 30, tells The Independent. "I would probably see a movie that had Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in beautiful outfits on the moors.""

"The Ohio-based creative, who's been a Wuthering Heights enthusiast since her teens, is one of the book fans who won't be watching the film. "I have no intention to see it in [cinemas]," she says. "With the casting decisions she's made, I'm not going to waste my time and spend the money. I'd rather re-read the book - which is what I'm doing.""

Emerald Fennell released a raunchy adaptation of Wuthering Heights that has polarised critics, cinema-goers and Brontë superfans. The film's sexualised deviations, perceived 'whitewashed' casting and 'pantomime-esque' performances have prompted intense debate. Some fans embraced the reinterpretation, but many others refuse to watch the film because of casting choices and concerns about the portrayal of Heathcliff's ethnicity. BookTok influencer Kylee Smith urged a title change and said she would rather re-read the novel than see the movie in cinemas. Casting Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Cathy and Heathcliff intensified disputes over historical character descriptions and representation.

Read at The Independent