Wuthering Heights (2026) has faced immense criticism since before its release this winter. Adapted from the 1847 book by Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights stars Margot Robbie (Catherine “Cathy” Earnshaw) and Jacob Elordi (Heathcliff), being directed by Emerald Fennell.
Wuthering Heights tells the story of the tragic and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Cathy Earnshaw, showing how social barriers and personal choices affect them and the people around them.
Junior Rachel Hyman said, “I enjoyed the movie but I do know that the film is an interpretation, not a direct interpretation, but still an interpretation of the book.”
One of the largest controversies with Fennell’s Wuthering Heights was the casting choice for Heathcliff, Jacob Elordi.
Elordi is a White Australian, predominantly of Spanish heritage. However, in the book, Heathcliff is referred to as a “dark-skinned gypsy,” “other” and as a “Little Lascar” which means “Little Indian.”
In many films where an actor plays a different race than the original, it is not as pressing of an issue.
For example, the live-action version of The Little Mermaid (2023) where Halle Bailey, an African-American actress, played Ariel. Though Ariel is referred to as having a “white” complexion in the 1837 fairytale by Hans Christen Andersen.
Even though Ariel being black caused controversy, Ariel’s race does not affect the story as heavily as Wuthering Heights.
GOA guidance counselor Mrs. Sergi said, “They’re clearly utilizing Elordi’s popularity for larger profits rather than following the book. Heathcliff’s status as ‘other’ is important and Elordi does not match or represent that.”
Although Margot Robbie’s casting did not receive as much controversy, the topic of “iPhone face” was awoken.
“Iphone face” is a pop-culture term that refers to actors/actresses who have had cosmetic surgery done and their faces are out of place in historical, period pieces.
Though Robbie has never confirmed having any cosmetic surgery, plastic surgeons and other experts have suspected she has had certain cosmetic enhancements. Regardless, audiences feel Robbie’s face fits the 21st century beauty standards but feel odd in a mid-1800s setting.
TikTok user @onceuponatimein_history said, “She [Robbie] is gorgeous, but this is very 2026” while discussing production stills from Wuthering Heights.
Audiences and critics found that Wuthering Heights was romanticizing and ignoring abusive aspects between Heathcliff and Cathy.
Junior Sagan Shapiro said, “I thought that this adaptation was a gross romanticization of Heathcliff and Cathy’s relationship. The movie failed to fully address both of their toxic behaviors.”
In the film, the abuse Isabella Linton (Alison Oliver) faces from Heathcliff is largely altered to a point where critics at the Digital Spy call the change “unforgivable.”
Heathcliff’s image is turned from manipulative and cruel in the book to a romantic hero in the film.
Fennell said to BBC that, “I wanted to make something that was the book that I experienced when I was 14.” She further revealed that some of the sexual additions in the film were things she remembered reading but never existed.
Viewers found it immature and childish of Fennell to continue to push a hypersexual fantasy in Wuthering Heights considering its tragedy and dark nature.
People also argue reading a complex and dark story like Wuthering Heights at a young age can lead to misunderstanding crucial topics. Younger readers are more likely to focus on romantic aspects rather than the dark sides of the story.
Reddit user @wooden_worry3319 said, “Got it, she was an edgy teen and completely misread the tone of the novel. Even though she acknowledges how the original text isn’t sexy, by pushing it onto this adaptation. Even as an adult, she failed to understand what makes the novel so extraordinary. Or she’s just too self-absorbed to care.”
Alongside ignoring topics within the book, Fennell also misinterpreted specific objects in the book.
In the film, Cathy’s bedroom walls were made from scans of Robbie’s skin.
In reality, a skin room, which is a nickname for a box bed/bed closet, is a type of bed that is fully enclosed, made to look like a cupboard. They were common from the medieval era to the 19th century in Europe.
In the book, Cathy has a bed closet but Fennell interpreted it as a room of actual skin.
The costume design for Wuthering Heights has become heavily debated for being “inaccurate” and too modern for the Georgian era when the story takes place.
One outfit that stood out to audiences was Cathy wearing a red and white dress that was made of latex. However, latex did not become a part of the fashion world until the mid-20th century.
Most of the Wuthering Heights controversy has been spread through social media platforms like TikTok and X. Online discussions pinpointing every minute detail of the film reached tens of millions before it was released.
The widespread discussion of films reflects a larger shift between the relationships that films hold with audiences. Audiences have more autonomy and influence over public perception of films than ever, potentially influencing how studios approach aspects of their films in the future.
