When Emily Brontë shared Wuthering Heights with the world back in 1847, the response to the book was … let’s just say mixed. Critics used words like “sickened” and “unsettling” and “a compound of vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors” to communicate how unnerved they were by such a scandalous work (something that only got worse when they discovered it was written by [gasp] a woman!!!).

In that context, the release of the 2026 film version of Wuthering Heights and subsequent reactions have been pretty tame — or maybe just as loud for more prosaic reasons, like not being faithful enough to the source material. Those purists are represented in this episode, as are the non-bookish types, because this is a packed-house Cinebuds featuring our two hosts and a pair of guests: Radio Milwaukee’s Zoey Knox and Bianca Camiro.

Our special visitors went through the arduous vetting process of talking out loud about how excited they were to see this movie, with Dori near enough to hear them. That being settled, they took their assignment VERY seriously. Like, there was a post-screening sitdown and at least one Notes app involved.

And what did our intergenerational reviewers decide? The word “vibe” was used a lot, and there was a fair amount of discussion over whether book people need to lighten up when they go to see a movie adaptation (yes, they do). There was also a general consensus that Wuthering Heights is a must-see movie. Now, whether it’s a good movie? Not quite as much agreement on that one.

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Cinebuds is sponsored by Joe Wilde Garage Door Company.