Okay, so we need to talk about the 2022 version of Wuthering Heights. Not the one from the 90s, and definitely not the black-and-white classic your English teacher made you watch. I mean the recent BBC and Netflix co-production that had everyone on social media either swooning or scratching their heads. Did you catch it? Because honestly, it’s a wild ride.
The Cast That Broke the Internet (Sort Of)
First things first, the leads. We’ve got Jacob Elordi as the brooding, tortured soul Heathcliff. If you only know him from Euphoria or those cheesy teen rom-coms, you might be shocked—he’s swapped his bad-boy-with-a-heart look for something way more feral. And opposite him, we have Emerald Fennell as a very different Catherine Earnshaw. Yes, the same Emerald who wrote Promising Young Woman—so you know she’s not playing this part by the book.
Here’s the thing: these two don't look like your typical period-drama stars, and that’s exactly why it’s so interesting. It’s like if the actors from a gritty indie film suddenly walked onto a dusty Yorkshire moor. They bring this raw, almost uncomfortable energy that makes the classic story feel brand new. You can’t just sit back and admire their pretty costumes—which they barely wear—because they make you feel the grime and the anger.
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Why It’s Not Your Grandma’s Wuthering Heights
Let’s be real: the original novel is full of toxic love, ghosts, and people being miserable in the rain. This 2022 version cranks that dial up to eleven. The director, Margot Robbie—wait, no, that’s a different project. It’s actually directed by Tom Harper, but the vibe is super modern. It feels less like a museum piece and more like a fever dream you can’t wake up from.
What’s really cool is how the casting makes you rethink the characters. Heathcliff is usually played as a mysterious outsider, but Elordi plays him like a guy who’s genuinely scary, not just moody. And Catherine isn’t just a spoiled rich girl; Fennell makes her sharp, unlikable, and honestly, a little bit chaotic. You’re constantly asking yourself, “Wait, am I supposed to root for these people?” And that’s the fun part—you’re not sure.
The Supporting Crew Is Lowkey Brilliant
It’s not just the leads that make this worth your popcorn. Fionn Whitehead shows up as Hindley, Catherine’s brother, and he plays the jealous sibling with a sneer that could curdle milk. Then there’s Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton, the “nice” guy who’s so boring he’s almost a punchline. But honestly, he brings this quiet kindness that makes you feel for him, even when he’s caught in the middle of the chaos.
The best part? The actors have this weird, electric chemistry that feels uncomfortable in the best way. Like when Heathcliff and Catherine argue, it’s not pretty speeches—it’s spitting words at each other. You half-expect them to start throwing rocks. It’s a bold choice, and honestly, it’s what makes the whole thing so addictive. You can’t look away, even when you’re cringing.
Margot Robbie wears piece of Hollywood history at…
So, Is It Better Than the Book? (Don’t Boo Me Yet)
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The book is a classic, right? But this version is less about honoring the text and more about capturing the feeling of it. It’s like covering a Beatles song with heavy electric guitars—purists will hate it, but you have to admit, it rocks. They stripped away a lot of the flowery language and replaced it with raw, gut-punching emotion.
If you’re a stickler for every plot detail, you’ll be annoyed. They skip huge chunks, merge scenes, and change the ending—no spoilers, but it’s… a choice. But if you just want to watch two gorgeous people destroy each other in the mud for three hours, this is your jam. It’s less “polite English drama” and more “reality show on a farm.”
Why You Should Give It a Shot
Here’s my pitch: if you think you hate period dramas because they’re stuffy and boring, watch this. It’s got the drama of a soap opera, the moodiness of an indie film, and the star power of a big-budget movie. It’s like if Twilight had a baby with a BBC miniseries, and that baby grew up to be a little bit mean.
So grab a blanket, maybe a glass of something strong, and just press play. You might hate it—you might love it—but you will not feel nothing. And honestly, that’s more than you can say for most remakes. Just be prepared to think about Heathcliff’s greasy hair for a while after.