A Modern Approach On “Wuthering Heights”

Kelsy Brown

Staff Writer

A new adaptation of Wuthering Heights will be hitting our screens just before Valentine’s Day starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. This adaptation is set to bring a modern take on the classic novel written by Emily Brontë which follows the tragic history and romance between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff as it explores themes of class, race, and the relationship between love and revenge through the gothic lense.

The cast of Wuthering Heights contains many notable names including Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Robbie, an Australian actress, most known for her roles in Barbie and The Wolf of Wall Street is set to star as Catherine Earnshaw while Heathcliff is played by Jacob Elordi. Elordi is a nominee for an Academy Award for his recent role as the Monster in Frankenstein and is well-known for his role as Nate Jacobs in HBO’s Euphoria. In addition to Robbie and Elordi, the cast involves Alison Oliver, Shazad Latif, and Hong Chau.

The gothic novel has been brought to life through film many times with many differing adaptations, most notably with William Wyler’s adaption in 1939 and Peter Kosminsky’s in 1992. Now, the film is being produced and directed by Emerald Fennell, the Oscar-winning director. Fennell is most known for directing Saltburn and has worked alongside both of the leading actors in the upcoming film. Fennell acted alongside Robbie in Barbie as well as directing and writing Saltburn which starred Elordi.

Whether or not Fennell is remaining true to the novel has been a highly debated point surrounding the film. Kharmel Cochrane, the casting director for Wuthering Heights in an interview with Deadline addressed the rumors of the film adaptation not following the story line of the novel as she said “there’s definitely going to be some English Lit fans that are not going to be happy.” However, this should not discourage any of the classical novel’s fans to not go to see the new film as Cochran in the same interview told fans, “But just wait till you see it [….] you really don’t need to be accurate. It’s just a book. That is not based on real life. It’s all art.”

Early screenings of the highly anticipated film have seen positive reviews from movie-goers. According to reviews in The Guardian, Wuthering Heights “expertly captures the breathtaking ache and essence of desire” and “is a god-tier new classic.” Seemingly, many fans are not too upset about the adaptation straying from the novel as one fan told the Guardian to “Throw the book away and step into the madness of undeniable chemistry and explosive toxic desire.”

You too can be the judge of if the adaptation did the beloved classical novel justice and go see Wuthering Heights in theaters as it premieres globally on February 13, 2026.