The Best Memes & Reactions To Dakota Johnson’s, Uh, Interesting Take On ‘Persuasion’

Warning: The following article contains potential spoilers for Netflix's Persuasion.

There's nothing quite like spending a sunny Sunday afternoon, curled up on the couch, perhaps nursing the aftermath of last night's wine, letting your heart swell over one of the many Jane Austen film adaptions.

From Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen's stolen glances in 2005's Pride & Prejudice to Anya Taylor-Joy's pastel-hued comedic take on Emma, Dakota Johnson has now thrown her hat into the 18th Century ring with Netflix's latest film, Persuasion.

Based on Austen's final novel, the story follows Johnson as Anne Elliot, who is an "unconforming woman living with her snobby family on the brink of bankruptcy", as per The Hollywood Reporter. However, when her former flame Frederick Wentworth (played by the oh-so-handsome Cosmo Jarvis) comes back into Anne's life, she must decide on whether she should leave the past behind or listen to her heart and give Frederick a second chance.

And while Pride & Prejudice became famous for its dreamy silences and soundtrack and Emma for its colour palette and clever comedy, Persuasion hasn't had quite the favourable reception. The internet's reaction wasn't in disapproval of Dakota's performance, but rather, fans were less than impressed with the dialogue—even claiming that Jane Austin would be rolling over in her grave.

One side of Twitter felt that the film's lines were a tad cringeworthy, almost like an attempt to have the same comedic effect as Emma, but not quite hitting the mark. While the other side of Twitter found Dakota's one-liners rather relatable, especially when she endlessly spoke on her unrelenting singledom. Sure, there's no denying that Persuasion is a perfect Sunday afternoon watch for romance lovers, but the laughs to be had about the film are undeniable.