For better or worse, the movie’s tone feels more similar to the 2020 version of Emma, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, than any other Persuasion adaptation, and the movie’s heroine feels more like Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet than Jane Austen’s Anne Elliot. This is an interesting adaptation in that it follows the major plot beats of the book, but changes a lot when it comes to the characterizations and dialogue. He set her up as his mistress to keep her away from any chance of marrying Sir Walter. The two characters did leave Bath together in the book, but not as man and wife. That is a key departure from the book, as Austen tended not to give happy endings to the villains. The movie ended on a pretty high note for everybody, with Anne and Wentworth reunited, and most of the key characters looking pretty happy to attend a wedding in a church. (Image credit: Netflix) The Book Didn't Give Everybody A Happy Ending The film features most of the important book characters, but there are always cuts and changes in any book-to-screen adaptation, so let’s dive right into the nine biggest differences. Written by Ron Bass of My Best Friend’s Wedding and Alice Victoria Winslow, the Carrie Cracknell-directed feature stars Fifty Shades of Grey alum Dakota Johnson as the 27-year-old Anne Elliot, who gave up the man she loved after being persuaded not to marry him, with Cosmo Jarvis as the jilted Captain Wentworth still carrying a torch for the woman who broke his heart.

With this novel not quite as well known as Austen's Pride and Prejudice or as frequently adapted as Emma, the new Persuasion movie can introduce Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth to a whole new audience. Netflix has been a top destination for Regency-era romances ever since the premiere of Bridgerton back in 2020, and the new adaptation of Persuasion promised to bring one of Jane Austen’s most beloved heroines (and iconic love stories) to streaming.

Persuasion book