Sense and Sensibility (2026) Movie Review

With touching love stories and unexpected twists, Georgia Oakley’s Sense and Sensibility (2026) is a charming new take on a timeless classic.

The older sisters, Elinor and Marianne, also have to navigate potential matches and romantic relationships as they both struggle to balance rationality with their feelings. Elinor seems to have formed an attachment with Edward Ferrars (George MacKay), her sister in law’s brother, but with no proposal or certainty of a match. Marianne is taken with John Willoughby (Frank Dillane) but has also caught the attention of the mysterious Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum).

From its opening shot, Georgia Oakley’s (Blue Jean) Sense and Sensibility immerses the viewer into its world with images of deers, trees, and the flowers that make up the English countryside. In fact, nature and animal shots come back throughout the movie, hinting at the character’s mental state as well as their changing surroundings. When the sisters visit London, the shots of animals and nature are replaced with those of white historical houses and the streets of the big city. The sisters look at those in marvel as both the audience and the characters are given the opportunity to take this new landscape in and become familiar with it. It is through the directorial choices, most of all, that the film stands out against other adaptations of Jane Austin’s novel. 

Sense and Sensibility truly flourishes in its group scenes, when the dynamics between the characters really come out. With complex bigger scenes, large sets, dance sequences, and a multitude of costumes, the film is not just impressive, but also thoroughly entertaining to watch. These scenes undoubtedly feel like the heart and soul of the film, where each element of filmmaking has its chance to shine. The complex relationships between the characters also make for one of the most interesting elements of the movie, thanks to the actors’s chemistry with each other. 

In terms of acting, Daisy Edgar-Jones and George MacKay work very well together as Sense and Sensibility‘s lead couple, with very believable chemistry from the first scene they are both in. They are also excellent at portraying their respective characters, with their flaws, personal histories, and various emotional states. However, Esmè Creed-Miles steals every scene she’s in, with her heartfelt and touching portrayal of a loveable, and at times over the top, Marianne. Fiona Shaw also does an excellent job at providing the humorous side of this story, which is very much needed during the more dramatic and emotional moments. 

Unfortunately, some of the film’s plot points feel quite forced in order to keep the story interesting in its last act. The latter certainly packs a lot in relatively quickly as the narrative involves many creative solutions that allow Sense & Sensibility  to wrap up all its main stories nicely and happily. The characters’s relationships outside of romantic love could have also been more explored. For example, the bond between the Dashwood sisters is a key part of the storyline and should have been more established. The sisters do interact a lot throughout the movie, but their conversations are often limited to the topics of love and marriage. 

While at times not entirely believable, Sense and Sensibility is an engaging movie that will keep its audience on the edge of their seat with its many twists and turns. It also works really well as a retelling of one of Jane Austen’s most beloved stories with its beautiful cinematography, convincing chemistry, and overall excellent directing. 

Sense and Sensibility is now available to watch in U.K. and Irish cinemas. The film will be released in U.S. theaters on October 16, 2026.