Wuthering Heights 2026: Jacob Elordi & Margot Robbie’s Explicit Adaptation Sparks Backlash

A first glimpse of the new Wuthering Heights adaptation has divided critics, with many slamming its graphic sexual content and calling it a far cry from Emily Brontë’s gothic classic.

The upcoming remake, directed by Saltburn filmmaker Emerald Fennell, stars Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff Linton and Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw. Set for release on Valentine’s Day 2026, the film trades traditional romance for raw eroticism—something that has not sat well with everyone.

A Classic With a Dark New Twist

Emily Brontë’s novel, first published in 1847 under the pen name Ellis Bell, has been adapted for screen numerous times, including the acclaimed 1939 version starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. But Fennell’s retelling pushes boundaries like never before.

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Shot on the Yorkshire moors near the Brontë Parsonage, the film opens with a shocking public execution scene. During the hanging, the man appears to climax, sending the crowd into a frenzy that spirals into an orgiastic spectacle—complete with a nun fondling the corpse.

According to test screening attendees, the movie continues with themes of “clinical masturbation,” BDSM elements involving horse tack, and other unsettling imagery. One critic described it as “tonally abrasive” and “purposefully discomforting.”

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The Teaser Trailer Raises Eyebrows

The trailer begins with sweeping shots of the moors and the grand estate, before cutting to risqué imagery—two women kneading bread, a shirtless Jacob Elordi handling hay, fingers dipping into egg yolks, and Cathy placing her fingers into Heathcliff’s mouth.

Later, a woman dons horse reins in a BDSM-inspired scene, followed by bizarre imagery such as a finger probing the mouth of a fish. The montage has left fans both intrigued and disturbed.

Mixed Reactions Pour In

Social media reaction has been fierce. One user bluntly posted: “This looks and feels garish & tacky as sh* lmao God bless.”* Another added: “Someone take away Emerald Fennell’s directing license, I’m so serious.”

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Yet, not all the feedback has been negative. Some fans are thrilled at the bold direction. “It looks stunning and erotic. In the best way,” one wrote. Another predicted box office success: “Margot Robbie + Jacob Elordi in a gothic Valentine’s release? That’s gonna pack theatres.”

Cast & Crew Defend the Vision

Jacob Elordi has praised the film’s ambition, saying earlier this year: “The performances from everyone—it’s breathtaking. It’s an incredible romance. It’s a true epic. It’s visually beautiful. The script is beautiful. The costumes are incredible.”

A journalist who previewed the film admitted the trailer exceeded their expectations, calling it bold and unexpected. One writer even suggested this may be “the most unusual Wuthering Heights ever made,” arguing that the story needed a fresh jolt of energy.

The Verdict So Far

Whether Fennell’s explicit take is seen as groundbreaking or garish, it has already cemented itself as one of 2026’s most talked-about releases. For a story that has inspired nearly a century of adaptations, this version promises to be the most controversial yet.

With Valentine’s Day circled on the release calendar, audiences will soon decide if this bold reimagining is a masterpiece—or simply too much.