Emerald Fennell talks about her vision for 'Wuthering Heights'

LOS ANGELES -- Even though the story of "Wuthering Heights" has been recounted time and time again, Emerald Fennell had a vision.

"I wanted to make a movie that made me feel something ... feel everything," she told On The Red Carpet.

Her spin on the classic story goes back to her own visceral reaction after reading the novel as a teenager.

"It's my kind of, in so many ways, sort of recollection and my wish fulfillment, my response to it, and for me, and I think for many, many readers of the book, it is Cathy and Heathcliff who are at the center, who are the kind of soul of the novel," Fennell said.

The two timeless characters are played by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

The actors say despite filming a storyline that is so seductive, intense and tragic -- they had fun.

"Emerald's set isn't ... you're not constricted and tied down by the weight of the piece," said Elordi. "In fact, ... she offers you the opportunity to make light of the sort of situation."

Robbie said she doesn't really remember being sad.

"I was so happy, always, when we were making it ... and I cry in pretty much every single scene of this movie," she said. "It's like one of my favorite things about Cathy that it's tough to cry all the time, but it's funny that she does."

Another departure from tradition was the bold costumes with modern touches, intricate yet haunting backdrops and red - so much red!

"We discussed the emotional connection of gothic and pathetic fallacy, not just as an extension of the weather kind of reflecting people's inner lives, but the clothes and the hair and the set design. What does this make you feel?" Fennell said.

Weaving intensity throughout the film is a soundtrack written by Charli XCX.

Fennell sent the script to the singer hoping for a song. Instead, Charli XCX offered an entire album.

"She just started sending me the most incredibly, emotionally connected, deeply sexy, romantic, intense, gothic music," Fennell said.

"Wuthering Heights" is playing in theaters now.