Quick Verdict: Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights (2026) starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi is a visually stunning, sexually charged reinvention of Emily Brontë’s classic. With a 71% Rotten Tomatoes score, this adaptation divides critics—some praise its bold modern lens while others find it style over substance. It’s provocative, beautiful, and undeniably Fennell—but purists may struggle with the liberties taken.
Table of Contents
- Overview & Specs
- Pros & Cons
- Cast & Characters
- Critical Reception
- Wuthering Heights Adaptation History
- Final Verdict
Overview & Specs
| Director | Emerald Fennell |
| Stars | Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi |
| Based On | Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel |
| Release | February 2026 |
| Runtime | ~130 minutes |
| Our Rating | ⭐ 7/10 |
| Genre | Drama, Romance, Gothic |
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s sizzling chemistry
- Stunning cinematography and production design
- Bold, modern interpretation of classic material
- Emerald Fennell’s distinctive visual flair
- $35M opening weekend box office success
❌ Cons
- Divides critics—style over substance accusations
- Casting controversy (Robbie’s age vs character)
- May alienate Brontë purists
- “Gluey, shiny mess” according to some critics
- Less faithful to source material
Cast & Characters
| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Margot Robbie | Catherine Earnshaw | Lead role, co-producer |
| Jacob Elordi | Heathcliff | Euphoria star’s big prestige role |
| Hong Chau | Nelly | Housekeeper/narrator |
| Shazad Latif | Edgar Linton | Cathy’s husband |
| Alison Oliver | Isabella Linton | Edgar’s sister |
| Martin Clunes | Mr. Earnshaw | Cathy’s father |
| Ewan Mitchell | Hindley Earnshaw | Cathy’s brother |
Critical Reception
The film premiered to decidedly mixed but leaning-positive reviews:
| Source | Score | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | 71% | “Divisive but visually striking” |
| Metacritic | 60/100 | Mixed or average reviews |
| BBC.com | 4/5 | “Utterly absorbing if you embrace its audacious style” |
| USA Today | 3.5/4 | “First must-see movie of 2026” |
| The Guardian | Mixed | “Unsavoury stew… ragged morsels of the novel” |
Wuthering Heights Adaptation History
Emily Brontë’s only novel has been adapted numerous times, each bringing different interpretations:
| Year | Notable Adaptation | Star |
|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Classic Hollywood version | Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier |
| 1970 | Timothy Dalton version | Anna Calder-Marshall |
| 1992 | Ralph Fiennes/Juliette Binoche | Binoche, Fiennes |
| 2011 | Andrea Arnold’s raw indie take | Kaya Scodelario |
| 2026 | Emerald Fennell’s version | Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi |
Quick Facts
| 🎬 Director Previous Work | Saltburn, Promising Young Woman |
| 📖 Source Material | Emily Brontë’s 1847 Gothic novel |
| 💰 Opening Weekend | $35 million |
| 🏆 Accolades | Most anticipated literary adaptation of 2026 |
| ⚡ Tone | Sexually charged, visually provocative |
Final Verdict: 7/10 ⭐
Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is exactly what you’d expect from the director of Saltburn and Promising Young Woman: stylish, provocative, and unafraid to polarize. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi bring undeniable star power and chemistry to the iconic roles of Cathy and Heathcliff.
The 71% Rotten Tomatoes score tells the story—this is a “your mileage may vary” film. If you approach it as a Fennell movie first and a Brontë adaptation second, you’ll likely appreciate its bold vision. If you’re precious about the source material, the liberties taken may frustrate.
Who Should Watch: Fans of Emerald Fennell’s previous work, Margot Robbie completists, viewers who appreciate visually bold period pieces.
Who Should Skip: Brontë purists, those who disliked Saltburn’s excess, viewers seeking a faithful literary adaptation.
Have you seen the new Wuthering Heights? Share your thoughts below!
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