'Wuthering Heights' Director Explains Her “Primal, S--ual” Movie Adaptation, Following Massive Fan Backlash

It is no news that Hollywood’s current cinematic landscape is dominated by movie adaptations of classic literature, drawing stories from timeless tales. 2025 has brought with it an abundance of the same. While some radiate the fragrance of success, others rot in foul failure. The point of contention is justice to the source material. Be it Henry Cavill's Argylle, Blake Lively's endless Colleen Hoover drama, or Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's upcoming Wuthering Heights, backlashes are free-flowing.
As the demand for these adaptations grows, so do the expectations, and the Wuthering Heights director, Emerald Fennell, is feeling the weight of the same just right.
Emerald Fennell reasons Wuthering Heights' sadomasochism for her adaptation
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In a recent interview with the BBC, Emerald Fennell admitted the story was about chasing the same rush she had when she first read it. “It’s, like, primal, sexual," admitted the director, claiming the novel itself carries an enormous amount of "sadomasochism," explaining why it shocked readers when it first appeared. Calling the project a “masochistic exercise,” Fennell said her love for the material was troubling but ultimately useful in shaping her creative process.
Emerald Fennell also acknowledged the heavy responsibility of adapting a novel that has been reimagined countless times in the interview. For her, the story feels deeply personal and illicit, something audiences connect to in a private way. Keeping the current fan sentiment in mind, the director promised to preserve much of Emily Brontë’s dialogue, calling it “the best dialogue ever” and one she could not hope to improve.
Despite Fennell's latest insistence on the BBC's special, the viewers seem to remain unconvinced as calls to preserve the originality grew louder
Despite Emerald Fennell's explanations, fans display full on discontentment
Fans on X have not held back, with one blasting the need to “ruin every classic”. Some argued the movie was just romantic on its own, while others complained Hollywood now “celebrates degenerates”. A stream of comments urged filmmakers to “just stop it,” with users rolling their eyes at yet another attempt to modernize a story that many feel should remain untouched.
Some even wondered if Emerald Fennell, the Saltburn director, actually read the book. While others claimed the Margot Robbie starrer teaser still felt like a Wattpad story, instead of Emily Brontë's work of art.
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If, however, Fennell dreams big in shaping this adaptation, fans insist she will have to stay close to Brontë’s original source material rather than channeling her own interpretation. The novel, for ages now, is revered as a cornerstone of classic literature, and readers seemingly remain defensive. Straying too far, critics warn, risks alienating long-time admirers with an "ill-fated future" who expect reverence to the text rather than a director’s personal vision.
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What do you think of Emerald Fennell's promises in adapting Brontë's iconic literature? Feel free to leave honest reviews in the comments below.
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Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra
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