Wuthering Heights (2026) – Emerald Fennell’s Steamy Reimagining: Trailer & Controversy
Emerald Fennell, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Promising Young Woman and the viral sensation Saltburn, is delivering her boldest vision yet with Wuthering Heights (stylized with quotation marks). This loosely inspired adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 gothic masterpiece reimagines the classic tale of obsessive, destructive love as a provocative, erotically charged drama. Starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, the film is rated R for its intense themes and steamy content, clocking in at around 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Set against the wild Yorkshire moors, the story explores the passionate, tumultuous, and ultimately toxic relationship between Catherine and the brooding, orphaned Heathcliff. Fennell’s take amplifies the novel’s raw emotions, class tensions, revenge cycles, and forbidden desire into something more primal, modern, and unapologetically sensual — think heavy-breathing close-ups, symbolic sensuality (kneading dough, fingers in mouths, horse tack, and even a infamous fish scene), anachronistic flourishes, and a soundtrack featuring original music from Charli XCX (including tracks like “Chains of Love” and an accompanying album).
The film hits theaters on February 13, 2026 (just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend) via Warner Bros. Pictures, following a heated bidding war where Warner Bros. secured the rights for $80 million over Netflix’s $150 million offer, promising a wide theatrical release and big marketing push.
Here are stunning first-look posters and key visuals from the campaign, capturing the moody, romantic intensity:
The Trailers: From Tease to Full Steam
The teaser trailer (dropped September 2025) shocked fans with its explicit, rage-bait energy — close-ups of bare skin, sweat, biting, licking, and symbolic eroticism that felt more like a provocative art piece than a traditional period drama. One viral moment involved a fish in a particularly suggestive way, prompting comments like “Leave that fish alone you perv!”
The full official trailer (November 2025) leans into the “greatest love story of all time” framing while still delivering heated chemistry, shirtless moments, and intense passion. It features Charli XCX’s “Chains of Love” and promises a blend of gothic romance with Fennell’s signature mordant edge.
Check out these trailer stills highlighting the steamy, controversial vibes:
Pairing & Supporting Stars
- Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw — Producing via her LuckyChap Entertainment (her third collab with Fennell after Promising Young Woman and Saltburn).
- Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff — Re-teaming with Fennell post-Saltburn; she cast him without audition, saying he matched an early book illustration perfectly.
- Supporting roles: Hong Chau as Nelly Dean, Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton, Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton, Martin Clunes as Mr. Earnshaw, Ewan Mitchell, plus young versions played by newcomers Charlotte Mellington, Owen Cooper, and Vy Nguyen.
The Controversy: Casting, Tone & Fidelity to the Source
The project sparked immediate backlash:
- Heathcliff’s Casting — Brontë describes Heathcliff as racially ambiguous (“dark-skinned gypsy” or “Lascar”), often interpreted as non-white or outsider. Casting white actor Jacob Elordi drew criticism for whitewashing, though Fennell defended it by citing a personal illustration match and framing it as emphasizing broader “otherness” themes.
- Steamy Reimagining — Trailers emphasize eroticism, kink, and toxicity over pure romance, leading to debates: Is this a brilliant subversion or a betrayal of the novel’s gothic depth? Some call it “aggressively provocative,” with rumors of tonally abrasive scenes. Others praise Fennell’s envelope-pushing style as perfect for the book’s “vulgar depravity” and obsessive passion.
- Marketing Choices — Labeling it “the greatest love story” while highlighting sensuality has divided purists who see the tale as anti-romantic horror.
Fennell has embraced the discourse, calling the material deeply personal and illicit.
Where to Watch Wuthering Heights (2026)
- In Theaters — Premieres February 13, 2026 (wide release, perfect for Valentine’s date night). Buy tickets via:
- Fandango
- AMC Theatres
- Regal Cinemas International: Check local chains like Vue (UK), Cineworld, or BookMyShow (India).
- Streaming — No date announced yet. Expect a theatrical window first, then likely Max (Warner Bros. Discovery) or other platforms. Stay tuned for updates from Warner Bros.
Catch up on Fennell’s style with Promising Young Woman and Saltburn (available on Max, rent/buy on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.).
What do you think—does Fennell’s bold, steamy take on Wuthering Heights excite you, or do you think it’s too far from the classic novel? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
