Margot Robbie, renowned for roles ranging from The Wolf of Wall Street to Barbie, has developed a film career marked by both acting and producing projects that resonate with her. Recently, she opened up about her focus on the audience’s experience rather than critical acclaim, emphasizing who truly influences her creative decisions. This perspective highlights Robbie’s commitment to meeting the expectations of the general viewers who engage directly with her films.
Insight from Vogue Australia Interview
In a conversation with Joel Edgerton for Vogue Australia, Robbie and her Wuthering Heights co-star Jacob Elordi discussed their collaboration on Emerald Fennell’s film adaptation. Robbie shared her thoughts on the divided critical opinions surrounding the project and clarified her emphasis on connecting with moviegoers instead of critics. She explains the priority she places on audience reactions during filming:
“I consider audience always. I’ve never, ever been on set and thought, ‘What are the critics going to think of this? I’m like, ‘What’s an audience going to feel right now? What’s their emotional response going to be?’” – Margot Robbie
Robbie’s viewpoint underscores the distinction between critical opinion and the public’s reception, viewing the latter as the key measurement of a film’s success given their role as ticket purchasers and the core viewers.
Making Films for Moviegoers
Further elaborating on who she makes films for, Robbie stated her straightforward philosophy:
“I just believe you should make movies for the people who are going to buy tickets to see the movies. It’s kind of as simple as that.” – Margot Robbie
This approach is reflected in her choice of projects and collaborators, aiming to create engaging films that resonate broadly rather than targeting critical acclaim exclusively. Robbie’s decisions as a producer actively support this audience-centric mindset.
Collaboration with Emerald Fennell
Robbie’s ongoing partnership with filmmaker Emerald Fennell, best known for Promising Young Woman, Saltburn, and now Wuthering Heights, illustrates her commitment to working with directors who prioritize emotional storytelling. Fennell’s work features visually rich narratives that often include complex or unsettling themes, yet consistently seeks to evoke strong feelings from the audience.
“I love working with Emerald [Fennell] because she always prioritizes an emotional experience over a heady idea. She’s very smart. She’s got great ideas and all this kind of stuff, but she’ll let a cool idea fall by the wayside to offer the option that’s going to be most exciting for the audience. I really appreciate that about her.” – Margot Robbie
This artistic alignment between Robbie and Fennell emphasizes emotional connection as a vital element in their films, balancing intelligent concepts with accessibility for viewers.
Audience Reception Versus Critical Reviews
Critical reactions to Fennell’s films have often been mixed, and Wuthering Heights continues this trend. However, the film has earned a respectable 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and achieved relatively strong box office performance. This suggests that the collaborative focus on audience appeal holds value and may contribute to sustained success in Robbie’s producing ventures.
Robbie’s commitment to developing projects that maintain this balance could influence her future work and expand her fan base, as she and Fennell continue to refine their storytelling approach.
Where to Watch Robbie’s Latest Films
Margot Robbie is currently featured in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, which is playing in theaters nationwide. For viewers interested in her collaboration history, Saltburn—another film produced under Robbie’s Lucky Chap banner—is available on Prime Video, providing a deeper look at the projects representing her audience-first focus.
