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Cincinnati | Culture > Entertainment

Sense and Sensibility: The Ultimate Comfort Movie?

Marcella Carr Student Contributor, University of Cincinnati
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Cincinnati chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

There is something about a good period romance that makes it the perfect movie to watch on a night in. Between the beautiful dresses, handwritten letters, English countryside, and complicated love stories, Sense and Sensibility has about everything a hopeless romantic could want in a film. The 2026 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel brings a beautiful love story to the big screen, giving audiences another reason to fall in love with period pieces. If you love a movie that makes you want to romanticize your life, this one is definitely worth seeing.

Sense and sensibility summary

Directed by Georgia Oakley, the film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood and Esmé Creed-Miles as her younger sister, Marianne. The story is about two sisters learning about love, heartbreak, and the challenges of starting over after their family loses their father and home. Although the sisters have very different personalities, they both experience ups and downs of falling in love. Elinor is more reserved and tends to keep her feelings to herself, while Marianne is more emotional and believes in following her heart. Their different thought processes about relationships make the story interesting because what each of them wants is something that many people can relate to.

The romance

One of the things that makes this story so enjoyable is how it shows two different sides of romance. Elinor and Marianne remind us that there is no one right way to experience falling and being in love. Sometimes you may want to be practical and protect your feelings, and other times, you may want to follow your heart and see where things take you. Whether you are someone who overthinks the little things or someone who gets excited over a small romantic gesture, it is easy to see a little bit of yourself in both characters.

The aesthetic

Of course, one of the biggest reasons to watch a period piece is for the aesthetic, and Sense and Sensibility lives up to that. The beautiful English countryside, elegant dresses, and soft color palettes make it feel like you are living in this time period with them. All of this connects you back to the romance, making everything seem beautiful as you watch both stories play out.

Daphne and Simon from Bridgerton
Shondaland / Netflix

Character dynamics

Even with the romance and beautiful scenery, the movie also largely focuses on the relationship between the sisters. Even though Elinor and Marianne handle their situations differently, they still support each other through heartbreak and difficult times. They are very different girls, but that is what brings them together during the entire film. Their relationship is a reminder that love is not just about finding a romantic partner, but also having people in your life who understand you and stand by you through everything, which is just as important.

Conclusion

With how fast-paced relationships are today, it is fun to escape into a story where handwritten letters and meaningful conversations are a big part of falling in love. It makes you appreciate the little things and reminds you that sometimes the best relationships are worth being patient for. For anyone who loves romance movies, beautiful settings, and stories that make you feel all emotions, the 2026 Sense and Sensibility is definitely worth watching. Whether you relate more to Elinor’s reserved personality or to being a hopeless romantic like Marianne, there is something for everyone, reminding you why being a hopeless romantic is not a bad thing.

Marcella Carr

Cincinnati '29

Hi! My name is Marcella Carr and I am from Cleveland, Ohio. I am majoring in journalism, and minoring in film and media studies at The University of Cincinnati. During my time in high school, I was in charge of my schools film club, and that, as well as my other AP english classes really got me into writing and reporting. I am really excited to write for Her Campus, and have others read my work as well!