As the curtain rises on Emerald Fennell’s much-anticipated adaptation of Wuthering Heights, the film world finds itself in the throes of debate, excitement, and a touch of scandal. With its official premiere set for February 12, 2026, in Australia and February 13 elsewhere, this latest retelling of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel is already making waves for its bold choices—both on and off the screen.
Leading the charge are two of Australia’s brightest stars: Margot Robbie, 35, taking on the role of the tempestuous Catherine Earnshaw, and Jacob Elordi, 28, as the brooding Heathcliff. The casting alone has lit up social media, igniting fierce discussions about fidelity to Brontë’s text, historical accuracy, and the ever-evolving nature of literary adaptation.
Director Emerald Fennell, who has swiftly built a reputation as a provocateur with previous films like Promising Young Woman (2020) and Saltburn (2023), is no stranger to controversy. Her take on Wuthering Heights is no exception. According to ABC Arts, Fennell’s previous works have been characterized by their willingness to "go to the darkest places without losing sight of mordant humour and a surreal sense of style," as film critic Stephen A Russell put it. This penchant for pushing boundaries has many wondering just how far she’d go with Brontë’s classic tale of obsession, revenge, and tragic love.
And go far she has. In an interview with Daily Mail, Robbie revealed, "They never really kissed in the book, but we kiss a lot. We kiss everywhere." The actress went on to describe scenes where Elordi’s Heathcliff would pick her up and place her in a tree or lift her with one hand, making her feel "light as a feather." Such physicality and overt romance mark a notable departure from the original novel, which is known for its simmering, repressed passions rather than explicit displays of affection.
But the film’s sensuality isn’t the only thing stirring the pot. The casting of Elordi, a Caucasian Australian, as Heathcliff has reignited long-standing debates about the character’s ethnicity. As Claire O’Callaghan, senior lecturer in English at Loughborough University and editor-in-chief of Brontë Studies, explained to ABC Arts, "In the opening chapter [of Wuthering Heights], Heathcliff is described as 'a dark-skinned gypsy in aspect' and then regularly described as Black or dark in various ways." O’Callaghan noted that other characters speculate on Heathcliff’s origins, suggesting he may be Indian or Chinese, and that his portrayal as non-white is central to his outsider status in the novel.
This casting decision, while not unprecedented—previous adaptations have featured white actors like Laurence Olivier and Ralph Fiennes as Heathcliff—has drawn criticism from those who feel it erases the character’s complex identity. O’Callaghan observed, "Jacob Elordi’s casting overlooks Heathcliff as a person of colour, and this has raised concerns not only about how the book is represented but how this particular adaptation and casting decision reflects other issues regarding race and representation onscreen and in culture more widely." The 2011 adaptation by Andrea Arnold, which cast Black actor James Howson as Heathcliff, remains a rare exception.
Fennell, for her part, has not shied away from the controversy. She told The Hollywood Reporter, "I knew right from the get-go I couldn’t ever hope to make anything that could even encompass the greatness of this book. All I could do was make a movie that made me feel the way the book made me feel." The director has also explained the use of inverted commas around the film’s title—"Wuthering Heights"—as a signal that this is her teenage interpretation of the story, not a definitive retelling.
Robbie’s casting as Catherine has also raised eyebrows. In Brontë’s novel, Cathy is a teenager for much of the narrative, while Robbie is in her mid-30s. The age gap has prompted questions about authenticity, especially when paired with the film’s modern costuming. Dr. O’Callaghan pointed out that the white wedding dress worn by Robbie’s Catherine is more reminiscent of bridal styles from the 1840s—after the period in which the novel is set—than anything Cathy might have actually worn. "The images released from the film, especially Cathy’s white wedding dress, have again raised concerns about accuracy—here, historical accuracy," O’Callaghan said.
Robbie, however, seems unfazed by such criticisms. At the film’s premiere on February 6, she donned a daring sheer Dilara Findikoglu gown with a Victorian-esque corset and green detailing made of plaited hair, inspired by a replica of one of Charlotte Brontë’s bracelets—thought to be made from her sisters’ hair. Her approach to the film’s emotional demands was equally pragmatic: "No different to all the other scenes that we do. The movie kind of demands a lot of all of us. My character essentially cries in every single scene, but no, it was a joy. I loved playing a character who kind of swings from one wild emotion to the other in an instant," she told PEOPLE.
On-screen chemistry between Robbie and Elordi has been a focal point of both praise and playful skepticism. Their close rapport at red carpet events has led some fans to joke that they’re following the “PR playbook” of actors like Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, who famously leaned into their off-screen chemistry to promote their own romantic comedy in 2023. Elordi himself fueled speculation, telling Fandango that he and Robbie had a "mutual obsession" while filming. "If you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you’re going to make sure you’re within five to ten metres at all times," he said. "Watching how she drinks tea, how she eats her food. When is it going to slip? And it never comes undone."
Despite the controversies, early social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. IndieWire editor Anne Thompson predicted the movie would "soar at the box office," while critic Kirsten Lopez enthused, "Emily Brontë girlies like me are gonna eat up Wuthering Heights with a spoon." Praise has focused on the performances of both leads, though some have noted the film’s 2-hour-and-16-minute runtime feels a bit protracted. Full critical reviews remain under embargo until release day, keeping anticipation at a fever pitch.
As the film prepares to hit cinemas, the question remains: will Fennell’s "Wuthering Heights" win over diehard Brontë fans and new viewers alike, or will it be remembered as a bold but divisive experiment? One thing’s for sure—this adaptation has reignited conversation around a literary classic, bringing its themes of passion, obsession, and outsider status back into the spotlight for a new generation.