Emerald Fennell’s 'Wuthering Heights' faces backlash over casting and tone after trailer release
Photo: Warner Bros
Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, has become a talking point not only for its bold trailer but also for the backlash surrounding its casting and tone.
The film, set for release on February 14, 2026, adapts Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel with Fennell directing, writing, and producing, while Robbie stars as Catherine Earnshaw and co-produces via LuckyChap Entertainment. Jacob Elordi plays Heathcliff, a role he accepted after being personally approached by Fennell.
The trailer, released on September 3, features a Charli XCX track and showcases the Yorkshire Dales alongside opulent costumes.
Yet reactions online have been divided. Some fans argue the casting strays too far from the novel. Others suggested the adaptation could have worked better as an original story.
emily bronte is rising from her grave as we speak because why did they turn wuthering heights into fifty shades of heathcliff and cathy https://t.co/82UL4H6fHT
— gen (@daehaerys) September 3, 2025
HEATHCLIFF. IS. NOT. WHITE. CATHERINE. IS. NOT. BLONDE. OR. 35. https://t.co/tFEzxC7Yz5
— aurora 🎠 (@lynchianbush) September 3, 2025
the way this didn't need to be a wuthering heights adaptation, like girl if you wanted to make a horny period piece then do that. no need to terrorise emily bronte https://t.co/XGVpi9QWFP
— shania♡ (@sshxniaa) September 3, 2025
Mom pls pick me up they're marketing wuthering heights like it's some dark romance booktok book adaptation https://t.co/infsTNnO2i
— g 🥀 (@adorasroses) September 3, 2025
you see what happens when you let people who were born to direct music videos make movies https://t.co/R8Qmoqyr7t
Casting director Kharmel Cochrane defended the decisions, saying, “You really don’t need to be accurate. It’s just a book. That is not based on real life. It’s all art.”
Despite the backlash, anticipation remains high for Robbie, Elordi, and a supporting cast including Owen Cooper, Shazad Latif and Hong Chau.