Francesca Pallitta
eSomethin staff
Classic novels such as “Frankenstein,” “Dracula,” and most recently “Wuthering Heights” have gotten their own movie adaptations. While directors of the movies are proud of their work, some viewers notice that the movies aren’t accurate to the original novels.
In the “Wuthering Heights” 2026 adaptation, fans of the original novel say that the movie is inaccurate in every way.
Critics say that the movie not only reduced the novel’s depth and thoughtfulness but the movie also completely ignored the main theme of racism in that time period by casting Jacob Elordi, a white actor, in the role of Heathcliff, a character who is often portrayed as racially ambiguous, contributing to the story’s themes of classism.
Director of the adaptation, Emerald Fennel, stated in an interview that Elordi “looked exactly like the illustration of Heathcliff,” but fails to address the fact that Heathcliff is described to have dark skin in the original book.
Fennel has said the movie is her own adaptation and interpretation of the classic novel, but should she have written her own completely different story? Is it ok to use modern creativity in classic novel adaptations?
PHS teacher Kate Reilly says that movie adaptations like “Frankenstein” and “Wuthering Heights” fail to curate an accurate portrayal of their novel originals.
Reilly also understands the creative aspect. Reilly said, “Taken alone, each film presents an interpretation of the source material that the director wanted to show audiences. No filmmaker owes the world a faithful adaptation, but it has been disappointing for those of us who want to see the novel come to life.”
If you’re a reader that loved and enjoyed the gothic novels such as Frankenstein, Dracula, or Wuthering Heights, maybe watching the movie adaptations ins’t the best.
Other stories on eSomethin:
- Travel to Rio on Budget: How Prom attendants can save money and have fun this year
- Serving up new experiences: The inside scoop on O’Deer Diner’s new owners
- eNothin exclusive: PHS student collects one of King Von’s lost dreads. Search continues for student.
- eNothin Exclusive: Secret tunnels lead to Mr. Freeze in ice cream catastrophe
- eNothin exclusive:Perez Everlasting: Perez has an ancient secret
