'The Brutalist' starring Margot Robbie torn apart by critics.

The first professional reviews for the new adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel have turned out to be sharply negative, despite the significant buzz the film generated on social media.

Following the lifting of the review embargo, it has become clear that the reaction from industry publications to director Emerald Fennell's work is noticeably at odds with the initial audience hype. The film, slated for release on February 13, 2026, has been met with a wave of criticism following the arrival of those first professional assessments.

Harsh Reviews and Accusations of Distorting a Classic
Most reviewers have not hidden their disappointment. The Independent labeled the film "astonishingly bad," while a critic from Collider stated that "Emily Brontë is definitely spinning in her grave."

Several industry outlets have interpreted this new take on the novel not merely as a bold reinterpretation, but as outright mockery of the source material. For instance, Den of Geek characterized the film as an "audacious bastardisation" of the classic work, noting that Fennell's revisionist approach destroys the key themes and atmosphere of the original text.

Overall, the tone of the initial reviews ranges from skeptical to openly hostile, a stark contrast to the more favorable reactions seen on social media, where the film's visual style and Margot Robbie's involvement had previously been key talking points.

A High-Price Project and a Tough Distribution Battle
Wuthering Heights stands as one of the most ambitious and expensive projects of Emerald Fennell's career. The film's production budget is estimated to be around $80 million, making it the director's most costly film to date.

Distribution rights were acquired by Warner Bros. after a fierce competitive battle. According to sources, Netflix had offered approximately $150 million for the project. However, the filmmakers turned down the more lucrative offer in favor of a traditional theatrical release, banking on a wide cinema run and the status that comes with being a major studio release.

Context: The Anticipation Surrounding the Adaptation
Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights has been adapted for the screen numerous times and is considered one of the most difficult works of 19th-century English literature to adapt, owing to its dark atmosphere, morally ambiguous characters, and tragic plot.

The involvement of Margot Robbie and the name of Emerald Fennell, who had previously earned acclaim for her auteur projects, had initially fueled interest in this new version of the story. However, these first professional reviews cast doubt on the film's prospects and its potential reception by both critics and the wider audience upon its official release.