Sense and Sensibility: A note on the adaptation from an Austen admirer

Adaptations: a curse to some, a gift to others. In my personal opinion, Georgia Oakley’s adaptation of Sense and Sensibility (2026) is a gift we should cherish.

It is very rare that you can be truly taken away by a film, but I found myself in the cinema thinking “oh my goodness”. The cinematography interacts so well with the soundtrack, and the actors fit into the film like pieces of a puzzle. An adaptation of Austen’s beautiful works has not made me feel this engulfed since Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice (2005). Yet, it is clear that Oakley has approached the novel with care and given it a truly sensible adaptation that is still full of heart.

We grow ever so protective over the sisters as we understand their vulnerable and sensitive states of mind

The capturing scenery of Sussex and beautiful countryside views open the film, and just like Marianne, we are in awe of the nature that surrounds the Dashwood family. Even though the opening is filled with despair as the family mourns their late father, we as an audience are still coming to terms with the beauty of the film’s setting. Additionally, we grow ever so protective over the sisters as we understand their vulnerable and sensitive states of mind.

This feels extremely close to how much of an emphasis Austen places on sisterhood and friendship in her novels, and Oakley does an amazing job at making us feel included within that.

Image: Alex Bailey / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED / EPK.TV

We know and love Daisy Edgar-Jones, and it is to no surprise that she delivers a breath-taking performance. She is the perfect Elinor Dashwood and incredibly embodies the role of an older sister with so much emotion and rawness. However, to see her alongside George MacKay who does an amazing job bringing Edward Ferrars to life, we are able to see the beautiful chemistry between the two, allowing the audience to witness their struggling love story unravel.

If we look to Elinor’s younger sister, Marianne Dashwood, we meet Esmé Creed-Miles. After embracing her performance, I am left with no choice but to go through her past work and take it all in. I will not be surprised if she is nominated for an award after this heart-breaking performance which unleashes all of Marianne’s complex feelings and heartache onto the audience.

It really feels like the words have been lifted off the page

It really feels like the words have been lifted off the page, with all these talented actors in dialogue with each other, embracing the essence of the novel. Unlike other adaptations of books, it feels as if Oakley had the readers in mind when she constructed this masterpiece.

Flowing throughout the film is an extremely noticeable fixation on earth and nature. This provides a continuous sense of warmth that carries throughout the sisters’ stories, and especially within their relationship with one another. Not only does nature represent Marianne’s heart and the delicacy of Elinor’s caution, but it is also a grounding factor that pulls the sisters back together.

This earthly aspect not only enforces beautiful cinematography throughout, but also, the chosen shots create a feeling of closeness for the audience akin to the bond between the sisters.

The worn-down clothing and grown-out hair perfectly reflect the novel’s time period

There is also an authentic closeness within the film’s costumes, as the worn-down clothing and grown-out hair perfectly reflect the novel’s time period.

To draw on my earlier comment concerning Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice (2005), it was of no surprise to me to discover that both films came from the same production company Working Title Films. In the cinema, I could definitely notice the similarities between the two in terms of its overall feel. However, if I were to have to make the decision as to which adaption I prefer, I would crown Oakley’s Sense and Sensibility as my winner.

The film has arrived at a time which almost feels necessary. We are so swept up in our rapidly changing times, but this film brings us back down to earth both through its emotion and cinematography. It truly is an adaptation that makes its novel proud.

★★★★ ½