Emerald Fennell breaks from the book in Wuthering Heights film

Director Emerald Fennell is embracing a radically personal vision for her new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, making it clear that her version is not meant to be a strict retelling of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel.

Speaking at the Hollywood premiere, Fennell described the project as an attempt to capture how the book made her feel rather than reproduce its exact details.

The film stars Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff and Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw, with several notable departures from the source material. Among the most discussed changes is the casting of Elordi in a role often interpreted as a person of color in the novel. Fennell said every reader forms a personal vision of the story and that her film reflects the imagery and emotions she imagined when first reading the book as a teenager.

Elordi echoed that sentiment, describing the movie as Fennell’s interpretation and emphasizing the value of new and original artistic perspectives on classic literature. Fennell argued that the story is timeless enough to sustain countless reinterpretations, suggesting that a new version could be made every year and still feel meaningful.

The adaptation also features an original soundtrack by Charli xcx, who expanded her involvement from one planned song to a full album after reading the screenplay. The film includes a modernized tone and stylized elements while retaining the central theme of intense, destructive love.

Produced by Robbie’s LuckyChap banner, the film is set for a theatrical release on February 13, positioned around Valentine’s Day to highlight its romantic core.