Film Review: Sense and Sensibility (2026)

I saw Sense and Sensibility (2026) film (starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood), the new screen adaptation of Jane Austen‘s same title, classic novel in theaters last Saturday on its opening weekend. 

This is the third Austen film adaptation from Focus Features (distributor) and Working Title Films, the producers of Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Emma (2020) films.

Watch the official trailer for S&S 2026 and read my film review below...

Sense and Sensibility (2026)

Based on Jane Austen's iconic masterpiece, watch the trailer for SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, George MacKay, and Fiona Shaw. 

From Focus Features and Working Title comes an irresistible new take on Jane Austen’s iconic Sense and Sensibility: a charming, witty, and deeply relatable story of love and sisterhood starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles.

Directed By Georgia Oakley

Screenplay By Diana Reid

Based On the Novel by Jane Austen

Produced By Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, India Flint, Jo Wallett

First of all, I loved and enjoyed watching both versions of the 1995 Ang Lee directed Sense and Sensibility film starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet and the 2008 BBC S&S TV Miniseries starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield. But to be honest, it’s been so long since I last saw these two beloved versions and I thought about rewatching them before watching this new version. I ended up not watching them. 

So, I decided to watch the newest film version with zero expectations (I mostly enjoy watching it that way), like I don’t know the story and I’m watching it for the first time, since I vaguely remember it. I must confess, I have never read the S&S novel (I know…I’ve read P&P and Persuasion though), which this was based on, but I know the story based on having seen the last two well-known adaptations, albeit It’s been a while since I last saw them. I don’t know if the script for this movie is accurate (to the original source, the novel of the same name) or not, though the way it took artistic liberties and had similar vibe (as far as the visual aesthetic, the yearning, and random hand movement parts to name a few) to Pride & Prejudice (2005) movie, isn’t a bad thing at all. It doesn’t have to be book accurate as long as the screen adaptation captures the heart and spirit of the book and makes you feel something, I’m all for it. After all, I’m open minded and not too critical in any book to film adaptations as long as it’s done well. 

Back to this movie, I thought it was very good and well made. The pacing was good as well. Though I find it quite slow at times, as it’s a slow burn type, which may or may not be everyone’s cup of tea. A fresh and new take from the familiar story of S&S and compared to the 1995 film and the 2008 miniseries adaptations we are used to seeing as this one used a different approach as far as its realistic, dark and gloomy atmosphere vibe. Georgia Oakley did a wonderful job directing this movie as well as Diana Reid in adapting the script from page to screen. Great cinematography and  a very nice score with a few lively music during the dancing scenes. The costumes were lovely too for its time period. 

Most of all, great casting (I approved and very good acting-wise) on the Dashwood women from the mother, Mrs. Dashwood as played by the lovely Caitríona Balfe (I've only seen her in Outlander series, and she's very different here, in a good way, of course) to her three daughters: Elinor as portrayed by the wonderful Daisy Edgar-Jones (interestingly, it’s my first time seeing her on the screen and I thought she was great as Miss Elinor Dashwood), Marianne played by Esmé Creed-Miles (first time seeing her as well and she was pretty good. I must say though, I was today years old when I’ve just learned that she’s the daughter of veteran British actress, Samantha Morton)! 👀 

Now, I see why she has that familiar look…and she’s like her mother’s mini-me. The resemblance is uncanny! They looked identical with her looking similar to her mother especially when she was young and in her Jane Eyre 1997 TV movie. 

Also, Samatha Morton was in one of Austen’s 1996 TV adaptation of Emma with Kate Beckinsale), and Margaret played by Bodhi Rae Breathnach (same as DEJ and ECM, first time seeing her also and she did good despite her small supporting role). 

The casting of Edward Ferrars (love the wink he did in one scene towards the end, see screen cap above...so swoon worthy!) as portrayed by George MacKay was great. He actually fits this role and did a great job. He and Daisy’s Elinor Dashwood had a great on-screen chemistry. They were fabulous together. Wish they had more scenes together though. Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum) was good (though I still prefer the late Alan Rickman’s unforgettable portrayal of CB), but he kept reminding me of Matthias Schoenaerts as Gabriel Oak from 2015’s Far from the Madding Crowd (with Carey Mulligan). Am I the only one who think they look a bit similar (not so much in looks, but especially the way they are in costumes with the hat and the beard…I know different adaptations and characters, but still…)?! 👀 

As for the casting of Willoughby (Frank Dillane), I thought the actor was okay looking, in my opinion. He looks more like a Mr. Collins than a Willoughby (haha…it’s probably just me…I got used to the 1995 Willoughby version). Nothing against the actor though as he did good on playing a jerk Willoughby despite his limited screen time. The rest of the supporting cast were good. 

I only had a few minor complaints/issues…

While the cinematography was great, the lighting of this movie was a bit too dark-lit. I get that the atmosphere is dark and melancholy, but it’s just quite dark (even when it’s daytime in the countryside…it’s missing the brightness of the sunshine like in P&P opening and dawn scenes) and looks a bit depressing for the most part in this movie. Another is Marianne’s mostly messy hair (don’t care) style was a bit distracting, but I wasn’t too bothered with it. I get that she’s sad and heartbroken, but I do get the audiences constant complaint about her messy hair, lol. I know the P&P movie got criticized with the Bennet sisters showing messy hair in a scene or two, but it’s not as too much as Marianne here. Next is the casting for Willoughby is a bit off for me, but it’s not a big deal because he’s not much in the movie. 

Now, the casting of a minor character Mr. Palmer (had a non-binary actor portraying the character) caught me off guard, lol. It’s not a big thing for me. I could care less, as it didn’t bother me as it’s a minor character. It caught my attention though as I thought someone said the wrong gender or that the camera showed the wrong person, haha! It turns out, it was intentional. I’ve heard that the casting decision for this drew in some mixed audience reaction, public commentary and debate across online and media outlets regarding cross-gender casting for a period drama. So, that was interesting…and even more interesting when I googled the actor…turns out they, Eliot Sumner is the child of musicians Sting and Trudie Styler. And the last one, I may be the only one, but I thought Mrs. Jennings (Fiona Shaw) constant laughter was a bit annoying and cringe, like I need to mute the volume whenever I hear her laugh a lot. But then, of course, that’s probably just me. Other than that, she was still amusing and brings humor and relief to this movie. 

Having said all that, while the 1995 and 2008 versions still remain my personal favorites (yes, I love those two S&S adaptations more), I thought the new S&S 2026 was still very good despite the minor flaws or issues I’ve mentioned and is a good addition of S&S screen adaptations to watch. I tried not to compare nor think about the previous adaptations and just focus watching this one. It actually got my full attention when I watched it on the big screen as I wrote so much here, and since you have read this far. Overall, I actually loved and enjoyed watching it. The casting, writing, and acting were all very good on this adaptation, which I’m very glad because these three things are the most important in any book to screen adaptation. The best part of this movie for me is the bond of the Dashwood women especially the closeness of the sisters (Elinor and Marianne) was so relatable. Also, Elinor's relationship with her mother and her younger sister was also really good. The 3 Dashwood sisters were just a delight to watch. Having two older sisters myself, I so relate to the Dashwood sisterhood (same with the Bennet sisters in P&P, of course). So, yeah, the family dynamic and their bond (through ups and down) was beautifully done in this film. I highly recommend you check out and watch this film, if you haven't already. Go see it on the big screen while it's still showing!