The Quicky “Outrageous & Provocative” Holly Wainwright’s Surprising Review of Wuthering Heights
Feb 15, 2026
Holly Wainwright, Mamamia Out Loud presenter and film commentator, gives a punchy take on Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. She calls the film outrageous, provocative and gripping. She discusses its bold, maximalist style, choices that diverge from the book, casting controversy around Heathcliff, and how adaptations can reimagine classics.
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Filmmaker's Memory Over Literal Faithfulness
- Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights deliberately diverges from the novel to reflect a filmmaker's memory of the book.
- Holly Wainwright argues that this imaginative approach respects the original's outrageous spirit rather than literal fidelity.
Polarised Reactions Reflect Different Expectations
- Early reactions split between praise for chemistry and horror-ish sequences and criticism that the film flattens the novel into romantic sexiness.
- Holly notes both positives and negatives but ultimately feels the film captures the book's darker, chaotic energy in a new form.
Immediate Reaction: Riveted But Long
- Holly Wainwright saw the film the night before and was riveted, though she found it a bit long.
- She describes it as outrageous, provocative, silly, dark and sexy, matching what she wants from a cinema experience.
