Emerald Fennell’s distinctive filmmaking style continues to captivate audiences with the release of her latest movie, Wuthering Heights, arriving today in cinemas across the UK and Ireland. Known for her bold storytelling, Fennell’s work reveals consistent patterns and recurring themes, which fans and critics alike recognize as her signature motifs.
From emotion-filled narratives to striking imagery, this discussion explores the seven key motifs underpinning Emerald Fennell’s films, shedding light on what makes her movies so tense, memorable, and conversation-provoking.
Provoking Strong Emotional Responses Through Bold Imagery
Emerald Fennell’s films are never subtle; they are crafted to leave viewers feeling uneasy, intrigued, or even disturbed. Her ability to fuse discomfort with fascination is a hallmark of her directing style. Whether the reaction is frustration, pain, pleasure, or a mixture of these, her movies compel deep reflection.
Take for example her debut directorial work, Promising Young Woman, which confronted themes of sexual assault and retribution in a way that was powerful and confrontational. Similarly, in Wuthering Heights and Saltburn, Fennell transforms seemingly innocent or mundane images into charged symbols that carry more complex, often unsettling, meanings. One illustrative case is the use of everyday objects like eggs, which become emblematic of sexual awakening and desire.
Actress Margot Robbie, portraying Cathy in Wuthering Heights, highlighted this unique approach by saying,
“She can take an item or thing that we’re so familiar with, and have never associated in any sexual and suddenly it becomes [sexual]. There’s this great moment where Cathy has this sexual awakening, and suddenly everything she sees seems sensual or sexual – the pig’s feet, a snail on the window, kneading the dough.”
— Margot Robbie, Actress
This recontextualization creates a provocative film experience that challenges the audience to reconsider their perceptions of ordinary elements within the story.
The Persistent Theme of Yearning and Obsession
Underlying many scenes in Emerald Fennell’s work is a palpable sense of yearning, often expressed through intensely physical or psychological manifestations. In Saltburn, the character Oliver’s fixation on his university friend Felix becomes a driving force, exemplified in moments charged with discomfort and obsession, such as the notorious bath scene where Oliver’s desires are on full, unsettling display.
Similarly, Wuthering Heights revolves around the tumultuous, consuming passion between Heathcliff and Cathy, where their mutual obsession leads to both ecstasy and tragedy. This motif of unfulfilled longing is threaded throughout her storytelling, emphasizing how craving can both enchant and devastate.
Polarizing Reactions From Audiences and Critics
Emerald Fennell’s films tend to divide opinion sharply, generating intense debates among film enthusiasts and reviewers. Her recent release, Wuthering Heights, has received polarized reviews — from The Independent’s harsh 1-star rating to The Telegraph’s enthusiastic 5-star praise.
This contrast in critical reception echoes the public response to Saltburn, which while receiving mixed reviews from professional critics, garnered widespread enthusiasm on social media platforms like TikTok. Fans were particularly enamored with the film’s rich storytelling and atmospheric elements, demonstrating Fennell’s ability to engage diverse audiences despite contesting opinions.
Memorable and Purposeful Soundtracks
Another unmistakable trait in Emerald Fennell’s movies is their powerful, thoughtfully curated soundtracks that stick with viewers long after the credits roll. Her debut film, Promising Young Woman, featured a blend of iconic and contemporary artists such as Charli XCX, Carole King, Paris Hilton, and an orchestral version of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” creating an unforgettable auditory backdrop.
Saltburn revived affection for Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor,” which became a viral sensation after its climactic use in the film. With Wuthering Heights, Fennell again collaborated with Charli XCX, this time granting the artist full creative control of the soundtrack, ensuring the music harmonizes perfectly with the film’s mood and themes.
Visually Stunning and Symbolically Rich Film Sets
The immersive environments in Emerald Fennell’s movies contribute significantly to the storytelling experience. Wuthering Heights features breathtaking landscapes and meticulously designed interiors, from Cathy’s textured “skin” bedroom to the eerie impression of the Wuthering Heights estate itself, and the striking red-toned room at Thrushcross Grange. Each set is carefully crafted to enhance the emotional weight and atmosphere.
Saltburn also offers impressive visual moments, notably the first revealing of the house’s facade, which captivates both the characters and audience. Even Promising Young Woman incorporates vivid color palettes, with bold and rich pink tones punctuating key scenes to underscore emotional intensity and thematic elements.
Recurring Collaborations With Familiar Actors
Over her three films, Emerald Fennell has displayed a clear preference for working repeatedly with certain actors, creating a stable ensemble who bring nuanced performances aligned with her vision. Carey Mulligan starred as the lead in Promising Young Woman and later appeared as Poor Dear Pamela in Saltburn.
Jacob Elordi has featured in two of her projects, portraying Felix in Saltburn, and more recently Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. Alison Oliver and Ewan Mitchell also appear in both Wuthering Heights and Saltburn, with Oliver playing Venetia in one and Isabella in another, while Mitchell took roles as Michael Gavey and Joseph respectively.
Subtle References and Easter Eggs Linking Films and Literature
Emerald Fennell weaves hidden nods to other cultural works throughout her films, adding layers of meaning and delight for attentive viewers. In Wuthering Heights, the inclusion of a red cape worn by Cathy cleverly echoes the story of Little Red Riding Hood, while themes and imagery draw parallels to Romeo and Juliet.
In her debut film, Promising Young Woman, a scene where the protagonist smudges red lipstick is interpreted as a direct reference to the Joker, underscoring themes of chaos and madness. Meanwhile, Saltburn features a graveyard scene that explicitly alludes to Wuthering Heights, creating a full-circle moment that honors the literary inspirations fueling her films.
Fennell’s flair for embedding such Easter eggs invites audiences to engage in a deeper exploration of the connections between her narratives and broader cultural stories.
With the release of Wuthering Heights, Emerald Fennell continues to challenge and intrigue, maintaining her place as a filmmaker whose signature motifs provoke intense reactions, deep yearnings, and lasting conversations within the cinematic world.
