live moxie

I finished Emerald Fennell’s new adaptation of Wuthering Heights and WOW.

I know many self-proclaimed “lit nerds,” “bookish girlies,” and “classic lovers” despise this film (and to be fair, some of their criticisms are valid). But after seeing it, I can’t help but feel that a lot of people are missing what the movie is actually doing.

Yes, I read Wuthering Heights in high school. And no, this is not a page-for-page adaptation of Wuthering Heights. But what Emerald Fennell delivers is not a watered-down romance or empty spectacle, it’s something far more disturbing.

From beginning to end, the film is insane, tragic, and at times genuinely hard to stomach. It is filled with cruelty, debauchery, and a relentless cycle of trauma. Loyalties you expect to hold dissolve quickly under self-interest and obsession. There is no sweeping, romanticized love here. There is devouring. There is possession. There is a desperate need to tether another person to yourself at any cost.

Many viewers have pointed to the erotic additions (the sex, the kinks, the animalistic imagery) as proof that the film reduces the story to romance. I couldn’t disagree more. I found nothing romantic about what I watched. It was sick. Deranged. Toxic. Heartbreaking. The sensuality isn’t there to make you swoon; it underscores how destructive the connection between Heathcliff and Catherine truly is. They are not lovers to aspire to, they are forces that consume one another.

Visually, the film is stunning. The dreamlike cinematography, the production design, the costuming, and the music all work together to build an atmosphere that says far more than the dialogue ever could. If you focus only on what the characters say and whether certain plot points were cut, you are missing most of the storytelling. This is a film that communicates through imagery and tone. The tragedy lives in the spaces between words. I want to say more on this but I’ll have to watch the movie again to fully understand how much depth there is to it.

Of course, there are valid criticisms. The loss of large portions of the novel will disappoint purists. Some argue that the main themes were diluted or replaced with eroticism. I disagree, I believe those themes are still there, embedded in the visual language and emotional violence of the film rather than spelled out in exposition.

The portrayal of Heathcliff is another point of contention. In the novel, his racial otherness is central to his outsider status and the cruelty he endures. Any casting choice here is fraught. If you emphasize it and you risk reinforcing harmful stereotypes, but if you downplay it, you risk erasing an important layer of meaning. While I was initially taken aback, I can understand the complexity of that decision in today’s cultural climate, even if it invites debate.

Ultimately, I did not leave the theater swooning over a romantically tragic love story. I left unsettled. Disturbed. Impressed. This adaptation doesn’t ask you to romanticize obsession, it forces you to confront it. And for that, I loved it.

Even If This Love Ends Tonight is a gentle, deeply moving Korean film about choosing to open yourself up to life even when everything feels bleak. Watching it felt like sitting in warmth. I was giddy through so many of the main couple’s interactions, unconsciously smiling at the tenderness of it all. Their love doesn’t rush or demand attention; it blossoms quietly, beautifully, and with so much sincerity that it made my chest ache in the best way.

What struck me most was how the film captures the beauty of simply experiencing life. There’s something almost sacred about watching young people encounter emotions, love, and connection for the first time. It reminded me of how kids approach the world. How everything is new, full of wonder, joy, and possibility. Through them, you get to experience those feelings again, as if for the first time yourself. I don’t have more eloquent words for it than this: it was just beautiful.

Beyond the romance, the film shines in its portrayal of friendship. Seoyoon and Jimin’s bond was especially heartwarming. Their loyalty, care, and long-lasting support for each other felt so real and grounding. It’s the kind of friendship that holds you steady when life wavers. Likewise, the developing friendship between Jaewon and Taehun added so much depth to the story. Taehun’s playfulness and openness were refreshing, and his presence brought lightness and relief to heavier moments. His adorable, over-the-top attempts to get Jimin’s attention were genuinely delightful and made the film feel even more alive.

The cinematography ties everything together with warmth and authenticity. Each shot feels intentional yet natural, pulling you fully into the characters’ world. Every scene feels meaningful, almost like a quiet reminder of why having your people matters so much, those who love you, root for your happiness, and allow you to be your truest self without fear.

the strange part is I don’t think I’m actually sad that we have drifted. I don‘t want to put my energy into a relationship that isn‘t a good fit.