Re-Visiting Andrea Arnold’s 2011 Filmed Adaptation of Wuthering Heights: A Conversation About Adaptations

Emily Brontë’s sole published work, Wuthering Heights, is not a beautiful story. It’s barely even a love story, much less “the greatest love story of all time” as the tagline for Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation goes. Brontë wrote this story to showcase the brutal ugliness of humanity by exploring the devastating fallout of generational abuse, racism, and classism. As Peter Bradshaw writes for The Guardian: “Director Andrea Arnold and cinematographer Robbie Ryan strip the story ruthlessly down to its bare essentials: pain, anger and love.” 

Arnold’s greatest strength in this film is her decided lack of romance. The Earnshaw family home is not a picturesque country house, but a grimy farmhouse smack dab in the middle of nowhere, bombarded by brutal rainstorms. According to Jeannette Catsoulis for NPR: “Captured with ravishing naturalism–from eye-straining candlelight to painfully harsh daylight…the film has a melancholy, sinister atmosphere only partly explained by its lashings of rain and banks of gray fog.” Catherine (Shannon Beer as an adolescent, and Kaya Scodelario as a young adult) and Heathcliff (Solomon Glave as an adolescent, later James Howson as a young adult) do not go on Bridgerton-style promenades across a flowery, green landscape, but hike their way through harsh, windy, grassy terrains that leave them caked in dirt. 

Arnold’s aesthetic may not be the most conventionally attractive, but it shows a clear understanding of the text’s Gothic nature and immerses the viewer in the world that Brontë herself was drawing from. The Earnshaws themselves are portrayed as rough, middle-class farmers, especially in comparison to the wealthy, upper-class Lintons. There is meant to be a clear class divide between Wuthering Heights and the neighboring estate of Thrushcross Grange, as shown in scenes of Catherine and Heathcliff sneaking across the moors to peek into the Lintons’ windows. Where the Lintons are well-dressed, educated, and sophisticated, the Earnshaws must work in fields and can only afford to send one person–Hindley (Lee Shaw)--to university. 

Another highlight of Arnold’s film is the attention paid to Catherine and Heathcliff’s shared childhood. When Heathcliff is first brought to the Earnshaws, he is around six or seven years old, while Catherine is five and Hindley is fourteen. Their connection is one that is innocent of the societal divides that await them in adulthood. It may surprise newcomers to know that Catherine’s narrative action is confined to the first half of the novel until her death halfway through. Consequently, Kaya Scodelario is not given as much screen time as audiences may have expected from such a well-established actor. However, part of Wuthering Heights’ tragedy comes from the juvenile naivete of its characters. By the time Edgar Linton (Jonny Powell when younger and James Northcote when older) proposes to Catherine, she is fifteen while he is only a few years older (but likely still a teenager). Catherine’s life is cut tragically short before she ever truly gets a chance to grow up. 

Of course, the most standout choice that Arnold makes in her film is the decision to cast Black actors in the role of Heathcliff. Despite Heathcliff’s explicit description as “dark-skinned” along with numerous assumptions about his race which strongly imply that he was not white, almost every adaptation before the 2011 version–and including the upcoming movie–has cast a white actor in the role. Racism in Wuthering Heights was not an afterthought, but a prominent part of the story, especially where Heathcliff was concerned. Characters such as Nelly Dean and even Catherine herself constantly refer to his darker complexion and features, while Hindley calls him Romani slurs. Bradshaw writes that this casting choice leads to Heathcliff being “confronted with overt and brutal racism from those of his new family who resent the outsider, and are determined to treat him like any farm animal.” Heathcliff’s race is part of the overall theme of “othering” that is present throughout the story; he is not like these white people, and he is mistreated because of it.  

A major criticism of Fennell’s film is her decision to cast Australian actor Jacob Elordi in the role of Heathcliff. This backlash was further fueled by her casting director, Kharmel Cochrane, defending the choice, remarking that “you really don’t need to be accurate. It’s just a book. That is not based on real life”.  However, this book is meant to reflect real life, and that includes England–and Yorkshire’s–complicated history of racial prejudice that is a catalyst for the abuse that Heathcliff suffers as a child. Frankly, it is frustrating how many filmmakers have chosen to simply ignore the explicit references to Heathcliff being non-white, considering that it is made very clear in the text. There are only so many times a filmmaker can say it’s an “interpretation” when one of the first things readers learn about Heathcliff is that he is “dark-skinned.” 

Unfortunately, for all the things that Arnold gets right in her adaptation, there are several areas in which she falls short. As Roger Ebert points out in his November 2012 review: “What she hasn’t done is make a terrifically entertaining film. Although this version dumps many of the novel’s passages, particularly from the later chapters, it’s dreary and slow-paced, heavy on atmosphere, introverted.” Like many past iterations, Arnold cuts out the narrative framing device of Nelly Dean telling the story to Mr. Lockwood, along with the second half of the story, which follows the children of Catherine and Edgar and Heathcliff and Isabella. Additionally, dialogue is incredibly sparse in this film, which quickly wears out as the film goes on, which creates confusion rather than intrigue. 

Arnold’s film is far from perfect, and to an extent, it is unfair to pass harsh judgment on Fennell’s film before it comes out. However, if future filmmakers wish to adapt the challenging Gothic text, they should look to Arnold’s gritty, naturalistic version for a blueprint. Frankly, a movie that bluntly showcases the wildness of the moorlands and the intense connection between Catherine and Heathcliff is what Brontë herself would have wanted.

Truth Over Perversion: Following Christ v. Christian Nationalism

Is a country built on hypocrisy and deception capable of standing as

“One nation under God”? 

This question lingers in my mind daily as I continue growing into a self-liable citizen. Christianity sits as America’s predominant religion. As much as I’d love to believe it to be purely out of discipleship, the truth is quite the opposite. This country’s foundation, as some may know, is based on the Discovery Doctrine, a common practice of conquest and conversion. With conquest comes power above all else– above religion and above the people. Today, this system has rebranded itself as Christian Nationalism, a political ideology that works to fuse Christian religion and national identity together. This is the same driving force that has used the bible to justify disposition of indigenous peoples, slavery amongst nations, and authoritarian governments.

Now, how could such an entity be one “ordained by God”?

Surely, the Lord of love and mercy would say otherwise. As stated by Jesus and written in scripture, “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules” [Matthew 15:9]." These same words hold up today, largely through a country pushing this nationalist agenda. 

1 Timothy 1:15 states, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”. 

When Christ walked this earth, his mission was to save lost souls, not governments or regimes– but people. If we take a look at America, we could easily note how difficult our leaders have made it for everyday people, who are often overlooked. This in itself contradicts the teachings of Christ. 

Here’s a little about Jesus: he was born a refugee who fled from persecution, came up humbly working as a carpenter, and was most importantly, a radical leader– spending his time with and educating the marginalized groups of the world (e.g., the impoverished, sex-workers,  and Gentiles). In doing so, he paved the route and showed us the true meaning of “loving thy neighbor”. This entails looking past race, ethnicity, and class, because through his power, love surpasses worldly identity. 

Allow me to insert two facts about myself– I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I am also a Black Woman in America. In addition to these two facts are two others about this country– In its true form, America is a western stagefront– manufactured to conquer above all else, hence my previous mention of the Discovery Doctrine. This country is also a system that prides itself on and under God. But how can the two coincide with each other? Is it even possible? 

In 1791, the First Amendment, [located in The Bill of Rights], incorporated the concept of separation of church and state. This, in simplistic terms, was meant to prevent the government from enforcing its own church. The amendment also created a sense of neutrality in regards to religion. For this, I am thankful. I have been able to express my religious customs freely, all while being able to walk into areas where others and their theologies have room to take up space. But even stating this as a lived experience, sits generally false.

Every day, we hear stories of marginalized groups in congregations, targeted in the nature of propagandic teachings, bigotry, and so much more. Just last month (September 2025), a white supremacist threatened to actively kill and terrorize practicing muslims at a mosque in Dearborn, Michigan. This is only scratching the surface to some of the extremities hate has taken to silence the voices of other religions. 

Furthermore, these same acts have been seen immensely throughout the Black Christian Church. The 1963 KKK bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church, which killed four little girls, has haunted generations as a silent reminder of our enduring exclusion in this country. I could go on endlessly about these instances, but the recurring pattern is one of domination and the relentless pursuit of power in the name of white supremacy. 

This notion of supremacy often overlaps with nationalist ideologies, using Christianity and economic fears to justify the “purification” of the nation (as seen with Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Groups like Turning Point USA further reinforce this, targeting youth and grooming them into the ideology of Western “Christian” conservatism. The impact of this harm continues to produce mentally unstable and neo-Nazi-minded young people. These influences pacify their terroristic desires and tell them that they’re justified through God, just as this country's Founding Fathers. We’ve seen this with religious center threats, bombings, school shootings, and cyber attacks. With the authority of Christian Nationalism, we’re starting to see this with ICE agents and political leaders. Through the continuation of this agenda, we will see a growth of domestic terrorists in places of enforcement and power. 

So what are followers of Christ to do in this reality? 

When Jesus walked this earth, it is historically recorded what he did and how he acted upon his call to reconcile people with God. Christ guided and educated disciples in their youth. The disciple John was likely a teenager when he was called to Christ, while the others’ ages spanned from adolescence to Peter, who was thought to be in his late twenties or early thirties. Jesus knew to reach the youth because that is undeniably where the future starts– but he didn’t do so in the way many leaders do today. Instead of teaching the ways of a religious agenda, Jesus showed his followers how to live and educate radically against worldly agendas. In Christ’s movement, there is no space for confusion, no room for political agenda, and absolutely no capacity for hate. 

Just as Jesus intended us to live by love, so shall we do, as followers in today’s world. Before, it was Jesus condemning the religious leaders for living hypocritically and against outward appearance. Today, it is we who must denounce the strategic and perverse ways of Christian Nationalism and live by the truth that is Jesus Christ.

LIFE AFTER THE FLESH VESSEL

The numinous and harrowing nature of death dovetails multiple complex feelings. It’s an experience all existing beings experience from a third-hand perspective, then eventually firsthand. And because of its terrifying nature, people naturally seek comfort and answers to their curiosities, often met through various religious beliefs. Death isn’t an unusual or unique experience, but certainly a challenging one.

Through faith, humanity has tethered itself to an idea of what happens next, where life exists beyond the human body. 

Through observances and studies conducted by Science Array and BBC Earth, it’s been proven taxonomic classes beyond humans grieve. Mammals, such as Orcas hold their deceased calves for sometimes weeks, signaling deep grief within their pods. Whereas birds, perhaps the Magpie, will arrange grass aside their deceased companions, almost ritualistic. Insects even, bees for instance carry dead colony members outside the hive — many argue it’s for sanitary purpose, but many believe the behavior is a result of mourning. 

Dr. Jane Goodall researched chimpanzees both enthusiastically and rigorously. Her studies suggest chimpanzees mourn similarly to humans, indicating they might have their own sense of spirituality. The question remains an argument, of what comes next.

There is an estimated ~4,000 religions, which naturally divert historically; through wars and wages, beliefs and purpose. With beneficent, loving, and unforgiving deities. However, an integral purpose is to reach a higher sentience, relief, or for many - nothing. After interviewing various individuals with different religious and cultural backgrounds, the general synopsis garnered is to do better to live better after our passing. Though the foundation is similar, the qualifications for Heaven, Nirvana, Jannah - the tiers have complexities of their own. 

Paris Byron, a Pentecostal Christian has devoted plenty of her life to being a faithful Christian in the image of God. Similarly, Esteban Conde a practicing Catholic has a different life experience but still seeks the same benevolence from his faith and community. Paris believes “we have an individual, unique purpose given from God” which the soul leads. When death arrives, they collectively agree that there is an afterlife, an eternity in Heaven, that Hell is real, and purgatory is argumentative.

This is solely determined by God. 

Whereas from its Abrahamic relative, in Islam many principles overlap however after death souls enter Barzakh, an almost waiting room where judgement is conducted. Thereafter, Sama Arafat states “Allah is kind, forgiving, but you must be obedient and [your] moral conduct as a Muslim matters.” She shared that there are two primary places with multiple tiers in the afterlife, Jannah and Jahannam. Where each have individual dwellings depending on the severities of your sins,

and goodness of your soul. She believes punishment in the afterlife can be temporary, in lieu of eternal. 

On another scale, Ryusei Satō, who has spent nearly fifty years as a practicing Buddhist, has an entirely different perspective on purpose, divinity, and afterlife. “Are you tired? Of the worry you are constantly doing wrong, suppressing the natural rhythms of life?” Mr. Satō believes he has lived previous lives, and expects he might have a few more; considered Samsara. And until he reaches Nirvana (the end of all suffering and rebirth) he intends to live with liberation, courage and kindness. When we die, he believes consciousness continues into something else based on our karma. The Noble Eightfold Path is a framework that he follows, and he believes Buddhism is unique in a universal lens; meaning, it is not a religion exclusive to Buddhists. 

His longtime friend Dheer who associates himself with Hinduism, shares similar core values. Emphasizing “Atmnan” the eternity of the soul. That similarly, we continue to reincarnate until reaching Moksha, liberation from rebirth. He shares that similar to all religions, belief and values are argued over. “There are multiple Lokas, realms almost, that we land based on Karma.” Karma, which determines our next life’s journey, challenges, and circumstances. His is devoted, to both his faith and culture. 

Undoubtedly, faith is a result of nurture, whereas curiosity stems from nature. Living in a spectrum of goodness. It seems many individuals have an incredibly personal perception and journey with their God, Deities, and communities. Death, does not have to be terrifying, and faith can be an incredible extension that leaves people tender-hearted and kind.

No individual can escape its sticky grasp, and though painful and unfortunate, comfort lies within the fabric of faith.