Love, Lust and Backlash: Wuthering Heights ignites critical and fan divide

Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights is dividing critics and fans ahead of its Valentine’s Day release . The $80 million film stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff , with supporting roles by Hong Chau and Alison Oliver .

Based on Emily Brontë’s novel, the story explores the turbulent and obsessive love between Heathcliff and Catherine, shaped by class conflict, betrayal, and revenge across two generations . Fennell’s version emphasizes gothic sensuality and psychological intensity in a stylized retelling of the tragic romance.

The film holds a 71 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting a sharp critical divide. Supporters praise its lush visuals and emotional boldness, calling it a daring reinterpretation, while detractors argue it sacrifices the novel’s depth for spectacle and reduces its themes to a shallow romantic drama.

Fan reactions online mirror this split. Some celebrate the film as “toxic, tragic, and beautiful,” applauding the chemistry between Robbie and Elordi, while others say it misses the soul of the novel . The casting of Elordi has also sparked debate over potential whitewashing of the character of Heathcliff.

Despite the controversy, the studio is confident in its commercial prospects. Wuthering Heights opens in theaters on February 13 as a Valentine’s weekend date-night release , with added buzz from Charli XCX’s companion album launching the same day.