One of the most controversial films of 2026 has arrived on streaming platforms, and it is unlikely to be dethroned as the year's most talked-about movie. Released in time for Valentine's Day, Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights has already grossed $242 million at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year so far. The film has stirred significant debate among audiences and critics alike.
A Bold Departure from the Classic Novel
Fennell's adaptation takes substantial liberties with Emily Brontë's original 1847 novel, cutting large portions of the narrative and focusing intensely on the tragic romance between Cathy Earnshaw, played by Margot Robbie, and Heathcliff, portrayed by Jacob Elordi. The film includes explicit sexual imagery, BDSM scenes, and a soundtrack featuring songs by Charli XCX. Critics have described it as 'less Wuthering Heights, more Fifty Shades of Grimm' and 'lurid and wildly over-sexed,' while others have called it 'luminously feral.'
Casting Controversy
The casting of the lead roles has also drawn criticism. Some viewers believe that both Elordi and Robbie are unsuitable due to their ages and the long-standing theories about Heathcliff's background. Despite this, the film's official synopsis describes it as 'a passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.'
Plot Overview
Adopted as an orphan but treated poorly by Cathy's father, played by a grotesque Martin Clunes, Heathcliff runs away when he believes Cathy has rejected him after she sets her sights on wealthy neighbor Edgar Linton, played by Shazad Latif, in an attempt to save her family from poverty. His return years later sets off a chain of devastating events. The cast also includes Owen Cooper from Adolescence as the young Heathcliff, along with Alison Oliver, Oscar nominee Hong Chau, Charlotte Mellington, and Ewan Mitchell from House of the Dragon.
Audience Reactions
Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes have been polarized. Evany declared it the 'best movie ever' and said they would '100000% watch so many more times.' Joanna agreed, stating, 'The story is powerful, emotional, and unforgettable. It really pulls you in with its intense characters and deep love story, making it a film that stays with you long after watching.' Cecilia gave it a full five-star review, noting that it 'transported me to a different time, social class, and a tug and pull love story. I enjoy the classic Emily Brontë love story and this adaptation is cinematic and raw if nothing else.' Others appreciated the emotional impact, with Charley saying their girlfriend was 'bawling her eyes out' and Kimmie writing, 'Loved it, so emotional!' Another fan admitted to tears and was 'blown away by their acting and the chemistry between Jacob and Margot.' Lilia, who had not read the book, was 'devastated' by the ending, while Abra warned that it was 'very sex heavy and not true to the book' but still 'enjoyable.'
Critical Division
Critics have also been split. The Daily Beast described Fennell's adaptation as 'a fleetingly recognisable tale of love, desire, obsession, regret, bitterness, and ire that, at every turn, plays as florid, horny, juvenile fanfiction.' Kevin Maher of The Times complained about 'a chemistry-free central romance between the bizarrely uninteresting Heathcliff and Cathy,' while Hannah Stong of Little White Lies called it 'a half-remembered story dressed in a beautiful gown that seems destined for TikTok fan edits and Pinterest mood boards rather than soul-stirring emotional catharsis.' However, Caryn James of the BBC argued that 'if you embrace the film's audacious style and think of it as a reinvention not an adaptation, this bold, artful Wuthering Heights is utterly absorbing.' In a five-star review, Robbie Colin of The Telegraph called the movie 'a bosom-heaving, gasp-inducing thrill ride' and added, 'Style over substance? Not at all – it's more that Fennell understands that style can be substance when you do it right.' Metro's senior film reporter Tori Brazier awarded the film four stars out of five, calling it 'more than what they're saying it is.'
Streaming Now
Wuthering Heights is currently streaming on HBO Max in the US and on NOW (with a movies package) in the UK.
