2025, Romance
WISE Score
A moody, stylized take on the moors where the romance is toxic, the weather is bleak, and the lead actors are doing some very heavy lifting.
This isn't your grandma's Wuthering Heights. It's a sharp, visually arresting version of the Bronte classic that leans into the darkness rather than trying to make it a sweet love story.
If you have a teen who is into Gothic vibes or high-fashion aesthetics, this is a win. Just don't go in expecting a lighthearted romance—this is a 'deeply serious work' about people being quite terrible to one another in the name of love.
Best for 14 and up. The themes of revenge and social class are sophisticated, and the emotional intensity is geared toward an older audience that can parse 'literary' toxicity.
It is a story about generational trauma, revenge, and a romance so toxic it literally haunts people. Not exactly a 'feel-good' watch, though it is a classic literary tragedy.
Emerald Fennell's direction is known for high-concept visuals and subverting expectations. This is a bold, modern-feeling take on the moors.
Expect intense psychological cruelty, domestic disputes, and a heavy atmosphere. While usually not 'slasher' violent, the emotional violence is high.
It is a gateway to one of the most famous novels in English literature. It invites deep discussions on class, obsession, and the cycle of abuse.
Every generation gets the Wuthering Heights it deserves. In the past, we've had the sweeping, sanitized Hollywood versions and the gritty, muddy indie takes. Emerald Fennell’s 2025 version feels like it’s built for the Saltburn crowd—high style, high stakes, and a total lack of interest in being 'polite.'
Casting Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi was a clear signal that this production wanted to move away from the 'stuffy' reputation of period dramas. It works because the source material is actually quite wild; it’s a ghost story fueled by spite. Fennell leans into that.
For a parent, the play here is using the film as a bridge to the book. The themes haven't aged a day: class resentment, the feeling of being an outsider, and the way families pass down their trauma. It’s a great pick for a high schooler who thinks 'classics' are irrelevant.
It’s also a perfect opportunity to talk about the 'Dark Romance' trend. Showing a relationship that is clearly destructive—and framing it as a tragedy rather than a goal—is a much-needed counter-narrative to some of the uncritical romance content floating around on social media.
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