Emerald Fennell’s upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights is generating significant buzz and controversy as it approaches its release. Scheduled for theatrical release on February 13, 2026, the film stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, bringing a modern and provocative twist to Emily Brontë’s classic 1847 novel.
A Modern Take on a Classic Tale
Fennell, known for her work on Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, brings a fresh perspective to the Gothic novel. The film’s first trailer, released in September 2025, features a sensual and stylized approach, set to Charli XCX’s “Everything Is Romantic.” The trailer showcases intimate scenes between Robbie and Elordi’s characters, including blindfolds and corset removals, accompanied by suggestive imagery like dough kneading. This modernized styling has divided audiences, with some praising it as transformative and fresh, while others find it excessive and straying too far from the source material.
Casting Choices Spark Controversy
The casting of Robbie and Elordi has been met with mixed reactions. Critics argue that Elordi’s portrayal of Heathcliff, a character originally described with dark skin and a Romani background, constitutes whitewashing. Additionally, Robbie’s casting as Catherine, a character who is a teenager in much of the book, has raised concerns about age appropriateness. The film’s trailer, which has garnered over six million views, suggests a modernized, sensual interpretation of the story, with BDSM imagery and a tone some compare to Bridgerton. This, along with the perceived misrepresentation of the novel’s core themes, has sparked heated reactions online.
Supporting Cast and Crew
Beyond the leads, the film boasts a talented supporting cast. Hong Chau takes on the role of Nelly Dean, one of the film’s narrators. Alison Oliver portrays Isabella Linton, Heathcliff’s sister-in-law, and Shazad Latif plays Edgar Linton, Catherine’s husband. The film is produced by Fennell, Robbie, and Josey McNamara, with Warner Bros. Pictures distributing the film in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Anticipation and Release
As the release date approaches, anticipation continues to build. The film’s provocative approach to a classic tale has intrigued many, while also raising questions about fidelity to the original work. With a talented cast and a bold vision, Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is poised to be one of the most talked-about films of 2026.