Sense and Sensibility’s 2026 adaptation, which stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Caitríona Balfe, Fiona Shaw, and Esmé Creed-Miles, is set for release on September 25. Its promising trailer has already excited fans, who’ve praised everything from its “gorgeous” cinematography to Edward Ferrars’ (played by George MacKay) brilliant hair. And now, the first reactions are starting to pour in. Following its Tuesday premiere in London’s Leicester Square, critics have had the chance to share early thoughts on the Focus Features film, which is the first mainstream English-language version to hit our screens since the BBC’s 2008 TV series. Here are some of their thoughts so far: It will “THRILL” Metro’s senior film and entertainment reporter, Tori Brazier, said on X: “Ooh #SenseandSensibility will THRILL the Austen purists. Simultaneously gorgeously faithful to the spirit (& letter) of the text, while coming across as totally fresh for today. “The sisterly bond is sublime, Fiona Shaw steals every scene & the men are a really pleasant surprise.” Ooh #SenseandSensibility will THRILL the Austen purists. Simultaneously gorgeously faithful to the spirit (& letter) of the text, while coming across as totally fresh for today. The sisterly bond is sublime, Fiona Shaw steals every scene & the men are a really pleasant surprise. pic.twitter.com/GQKTVby1R4 — Tori Brazier (@dinotaur) September 15, 2026 “For the yearners” The Wrap’s awards and entertainment reporter, Casey Loving, was similarly impressed. His X post reads: “#SenseandSensibility is for the yearners. Georgia Oakley and writer Diana Reid stay true to Jane Austen’s wonderful text (w/ some key changes) in a quiet film that totally charmed the romantic in me. “Daisy Edgar-Jones & George MacKay are great, and Esmé Creed-Miles is astounding.” He stressed how “great” Esmé’s acting as Marianne was again in a later post. #SenseandSensibility is for the yearners. Georgia Oakley and writer Diana Reid stay true to Jane Austen’s wonderful text (w/ some key changes) in a quiet film that totally charmed the romantic in me. Daisy Edgar-Jones & George MacKay are great, and Esmé Creed-Miles is astounding pic.twitter.com/F5xInQmb6t — Casey Loving (@CaseyMLoving) September 16, 2026 “A delight” Variety’s Jazz Tangcay opined, “Always a sucker for a Jane Austen adaptation. Loved the chemistry between Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles. Caitríona Balfe is wonderful. “Diana Reid [the film’s screenwriter]... injects a lot of wit. It’s a delight.” Always a sucker for a Jane Austen adaptation. Loved the chemistry between Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles. Caitríona Balfe is wonderful. Diana Reid script injects a lot of wit. It's a delight #senseandsensibilityhttps://t.co/LwU7F5M8Jc — Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) September 15, 2026 “Achingly sweet” Inverse’s Lyvie Scott shared some thoughts on X, too. “My hopes for #SenseandSensibility were (unfairly?) high, but [director] georgia oakley crafts a world i’ve been yearning to revisit for weeks,” they stated. “So breathlessly bohemian and achingly sweet; every beat from the book gets its due. also get ready to fall in love w george mackay bc wow. killer.” my hopes for #SenseandSensibility were (unfairly?) high, but georgia oakley crafts a world i’ve been yearning to revisit for weeks. so breathlessly bohemian and achingly sweet; every beat from the book gets its due. also get ready to fall in love w george mackay bc wow. killer pic.twitter.com/pNiLt0zDqc — lyvie scott (@lyviescott) September 15, 2026 “So exquisite” Owner and editor of awards site Next Best Picture, Matt Neglia, was bowled over by the movie. He wrote: “Sense and Sensibility is so exquisite. Don’t let the fact that it didn’t play at any of the fall film festivals, or that it stands in the shadow of Ang Lee’s 1995 masterpiece, throw you off. “This is a more than worthy new adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, told with tremendous care, sincerity, and affection by Georgia Oakley in all elements of production. It reminded me of the same initial skepticism I had toward Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, only to feel that same warm sense of comfort and relief when I realized just how beautifully it had all come together. “Everyone is perfectly cast, with Daisy Edgar-Jones delivering one of her stronger, more heartbreaking performances, while Esmé Creed-Miles radiates off the screen in a breakthrough role that will have everyone falling in love with her. “Gorgeous costumes, a swoon-worthy score, and a cast to fall head over heels for, Oakley has crafted another winner that should satisfy Jane Austen fans and hopeless romantics looking for a good cry at the cinema.” SENSE AND SENSIBILITY is so exquisite. Don’t let the fact that it didn’t play at any of the fall film festivals, or that it stands in the shadow of Ang Lee’s 1995 masterpiece, throw you off. This is a more than worthy new adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, told with… pic.twitter.com/qc8BzaSYHf — Matt Neglia @NYFF (@NextBestPicture) September 16, 2026 Here’s hoping the film, due in cinemas a week from now in the UK, lives up to these impressive early reactions. Related... Sense And Sensibility Just Dropped Its First Trailer, And Fans Are 'Seated' Emma Thompson Says Hugh Grant Was 'So Cross' Over This Sense And Sensibility Scene Emma Thompson To Lead All-Star Cast In Audio Sequel To 1 Of Her Most Iconic Films