Margot Robbie’s New Psychological Drama Faces Backlash for All the Wrong Reasons

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A new version of Emily Brontë’s classic story, ‘Wuthering Heights’, is coming in 2026, and the first official trailer has just been released. Directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, the movie is already generating buzz. The earlier teaser offered a glimpse of the film’s sensual and moody tone, but the full trailer shows much more of what audiences can expect.

The preview opens with young Catherine and Heathcliff playing on the Yorkshire moors, showing their childhood bond. As they grow up, differences in social status and background create a divide between them. A brief exchange highlights this: she asks what he’d do with wealth, and he replies he’d enjoy all the benefits, including a wife – her single-word response reveals a lot about who she is. From what we’ve seen, the new adaptation appears to follow the original story and structure of Wuthering Heights, which raises the question: why are fans of the Brontë novel so upset about it?

Wuthering Heights Is A Deeply Provocative Adaptation, On Purpose

Period dramas are often expected to be very accurate, more so than shows set in the present day, because viewers enjoy seeing history portrayed correctly. Wuthering Heights, for example, takes place in the late 1700s and early 1800s, a time when people spoke, dressed, and behaved very differently than they do now.

From the initial glimpses and now the full trailer, it’s clear Emerald Fennell isn’t aiming for strict historical accuracy. Instead, the film heavily emphasizes the wild, intense connection between Catherine and Heathcliff, exploring how their complicated emotions and passionate love ultimately led to their downfall.

Fennell’s style, seen in films like Saltburn and Promising Young Woman, is bold and visually striking. She uses bright colors and a lavish, yet slightly crumbling, aesthetic. Notably, she adds a strong sexual element to the story, which was largely absent in the original novel.

However, many believe that the intense and chaotic relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff must have included physical attraction. The promotional material strongly suggests this with suggestive imagery – scenes of wall-licking, loosened clothing, and frequent hints of sexual tension.

Emerald Fennell’s Approach Is Exactly What The Story Needs

Fennell seems to be interpreting Wuthering Heights as a grand love story, though many would argue against that. While Heathcliff and Catherine’s relationship was undeniably damaging and filled with conflict, lines like “I am Heathcliff…he’s always in my mind” make it difficult to dismiss the intense connection between them.

With seven previous movie versions and five book adaptations already made, Emily Brontë’s story has been told many times. We certainly don’t need another predictable, traditional retelling. Emerald Fennell is doing something special – she’s delving into the complicated side of love, exploring how it can become unhealthy, but with a completely original approach. After all, adaptations should offer a new perspective on the original story.

The story needs a fresh, imaginative take to resonate with today’s audiences, capturing the intense and often destructive love between Catherine and Heathcliff. Those upset by a more modern or suggestive adaptation of Wuthering Heights should remember the original novel was already shocking for its time – Heathcliff literally exhumed Catherine’s body. Emily Brontë’s work was considered scandalous and bold when it was first published, and this new version continues that tradition, even with its Valentine’s Day release.

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2025-11-20 20:11