By Vinod Ram 
Emerald Fennell has done it again — but this time, she may have created something far more enduring. Early reviews are calling her 2026 adaptation of Wuthering Heights a “god-tier new classic,” praising its scorching chemistry and breathtaking 35mm cinematography.
Following the polarizing brilliance of Promising Young Woman and the decadent psychological edge of Saltburn, Fennell’s gothic romance appears to mark her most visually ambitious work yet.
A “Scorching Hot” Heathcliff and Catherine
Critics from outlets including The Guardian Film and IndieWire have highlighted the film’s central dynamic: a chemistry so electric it feels dangerous.
Unlike previous adaptations of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, Fennell leans fully into the psychological volatility of the romance. Heathcliff and Catherine aren’t softened for modern audiences — they’re amplified.
The result is raw, obsessive, and unsettling — a love story that burns rather than comforts.
Linus Sandgren’s 35mm Masterpiece
If performances provide the fire, cinematographer Linus Sandgren provides the smoke and atmosphere.
Best known for his Oscar-winning work on La La Land, Sandgren shot Wuthering Heights on 35mm film — a choice increasingly rare in a digital-first industry.
According to analysis from RogerEbert.com, the texture of 35mm adds a tactile romanticism that digital cinematography often lacks.
The Yorkshire moors feel alive — windswept, bruised, almost haunted. Grain becomes emotion.
Why Critics Are Using the Phrase “God-Tier”
In online film culture, “god-tier” isn’t thrown around lightly. The phrase reflects a rare consensus: artistic risk paired with flawless execution.
Festival reactions, amplified by publications like Variety, describe the adaptation as both faithful and radically contemporary.
- Faithful to Brontë’s darkness
- Modern in its emotional framing
- Visually immersive
- Fearless in tone
Fennell’s direction refuses sentimentality. Instead, she treats the source material as operatic tragedy.
Reclaiming the Gothic Romance
In an era dominated by franchise blockbusters, a literary adaptation commanding this level of critical enthusiasm stands out.
Film scholars note that gothic romance — once dismissed as melodramatic — has regained cultural prestige. Fennell’s version situates obsession, class conflict, and emotional violence within a modern lens.
Coverage from BFI highlights how renewed interest in classic literature adaptations signals audience appetite for elevated storytelling.
A Defining Moment for Fennell?
With two already culturally disruptive films under her belt, Fennell’s Wuthering Heights may represent her transition from provocateur to canonical filmmaker.
If early reviews hold, this won’t just be another adaptation. It will be the adaptation that defines a generation’s relationship to Brontë’s masterpiece.
And perhaps that’s why critics aren’t hesitating to call it “god-tier.”
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