‘Persuasion’ 2022 Review: Netflix’s New Jane Austen Movie Is Entertaining

Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Jarvis star in this enjoyable, imperfect retelling.

[{"selector":"#anim-267a669e-423d-4c4d-88ed-63c150a629ee","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85a5081b-87f5-4fb1-a523-9598c4c170c3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-177.04918%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credit: Nick Wall/Netflix Learn more

I had high hopes for the new Netflix adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. While the trailer produced a polarizing reaction from the Austen fandom, I enjoyed it thoroughly – despite the alterations to Anne Elliot’s personality from the classic (and beloved) novel.

[{"selector":"#anim-40cdd6fe-860f-492c-a826-b3efa97cdd36","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d0010ac-4121-4dba-a7e7-e1e001d656b8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 189.35786%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

THE STORY OF NETFLIX’S PERSUASION

27-year-old Anne Elliot, a single woman in the early 19th century, lives with her snobbish family as they are on the brink of bankruptcy due to their continuous poor financial decisions. Credit: Nick Wall/Netflix Learn more

WHAT THIS PERSUASION DOES WELL

The production design, the exquisite set decoration, the gorgeous costumes, and the music score are all top-notch. Credit: Netflix Learn more

While Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Jarvis are fine in their parts, the supporting cast steals the show. Henry Golding ( Crazy Rich Asians ) plays the rakish Mr. Elliot with charm and shocking likability. Credit: Nick Wall/Netflix Learn more

WHAT COULD BE BETTER

As the leading lady, Dakota Johnson remains likable, but she doesn’t match the book’s character. Arguably, that was the intent, but I was not too fond of that change. Credit: Nick Wall/Netflix Learn more

THE ROMANCE

Credit: Nick Wall/Netflix Was it still romantic? Yes. But even the famous letter scene with Wentworth was chopped up to focus more on Anne. And that detracted from what could have been a stronger love story. Learn more

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Overall, if you’re a Jane Austen purist, this 2022 version of Persuasion likely won’t be to your taste. However, if you go in with an open mind and try to enjoy the film separately from the book, the movie might entertain you – modern sensibilities and all! Learn more