Emily Brontë’s timeless gothic romance explodes onto modern screens with unprecedented sensuality as director Emerald Fennell unveils a bold new trailer for Wuthering Heights. The highly anticipated adaptation starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff promises to deliver a visceral, hypersexualized reimagining of the classic 1847 novel. Warner Bros. released the full theatrical trailer on November 13, 2025, offering audiences their most comprehensive look yet at Fennell’s lavish interpretation of the doomed love story set against the windswept Yorkshire moors.
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A Valentine’s Day Release Built for Romance
Warner Bros. strategically positioned Wuthering Heights for a February 13, 2026 theatrical release—arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend. This release date signals the studio’s confidence in the film’s romantic appeal, though Fennell’s previous work suggests audiences should expect considerably darker and more complex emotional territory than typical Valentine’s fare.
| Wuthering Heights Production Details |
|---|
| Director/Writer: Emerald Fennell |
| Lead Stars: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi |
| Supporting Cast: Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, Ewan Mitchell |
| Young Cast: Charlotte Mellington, Owen Cooper, Vy Nguyen |
| Studio: MRC (financing) |
| Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release Date: February 13, 2026 (US), February 11, 2026 (UK) |
| Budget: $80 million (Warner Bros. bid) |
The new full-length trailer, released alongside Charli XCX’s original song “Chains of Love,” offers extended glimpses of the passionate and tumultuous relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. Opening with establishing shots of an estate on the West Yorkshire moors, the footage quickly pivots to intimate close-ups and sensual imagery that has become Fennell’s trademark style.
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi: A Star-Crossed Pairing
The casting of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi generated immediate excitement when announced in September 2024, creating what many consider one of the most hotly anticipated on-screen pairings in recent memory. Robbie, fresh off her cultural phenomenon Barbie, brings her considerable star power and producing acumen to the project through her LuckyChap Entertainment banner.
Jacob Elordi, who contemplated taking a hiatus from acting before Fennell offered him the lead role without requiring an audition, describes the production in glowing terms. “The performances from everyone—it’s breathtaking,” Elordi told Deadline earlier this year. “It’s an incredible romance. It’s a true epic. It’s visually beautiful. The script is beautiful. The costumes are incredible.”
| Wuthering Heights Cast |
|---|
| Margot Robbie – Catherine Earnshaw |
| Jacob Elordi – Heathcliff |
| Hong Chau – Nelly Dean (narrator) |
| Shazad Latif – Edgar Linton |
| Alison Oliver – Isabella Linton |
| Charlotte Mellington – Young Catherine |
| Owen Cooper – Young Heathcliff |
| Vy Nguyen – Young Nelly Dean |
| Martin Clunes – Mr. Earnshaw |
| Ewan Mitchell – TBA |
The trailer showcases the undeniable chemistry between Robbie and Elordi, with scenes ranging from rain-soaked confrontations to intimate moments that push the boundaries of period drama conventions. “Do you want me to stop?” Elordi’s Heathcliff asks at one point, to which Robbie’s Catherine replies simply: “No.”
Emerald Fennell’s Provocative Vision
Emerald Fennell has established herself as one of contemporary cinema’s most distinctive voices through her previous films Promising Young Woman (2020), which earned her an Academy Award for Original Screenplay, and Saltburn (2023), which became a cultural phenomenon for its audacious storytelling and boundary-pushing scenes.
Wuthering Heights marks Fennell’s third collaboration with LuckyChap Entertainment, cementing a creative partnership that has consistently delivered provocative, conversation-starting cinema. Fennell wrote, directed, and produces the adaptation, maintaining complete creative control over her interpretation of Brontë’s novel.
The filmmaker’s vision for Wuthering Heights is described as “hyper-sexualized and over-indulgent, with lavish sets and extra intense romance galore.” The trailer confirms this approach, featuring what one reviewer described as “lots of horny shots” including a notably sensual close-up of hands kneading bread that has already sparked social media discussion.
The Bidding War and Warner Bros. Victory
The attachment of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi sparked a fierce bidding war among major studios eager to secure distribution rights. Netflix made an aggressive $150 million offer for the film, betting on the star power and Fennell’s track record to justify the substantial investment.
However, Warner Bros. ultimately won the rights with a significantly lower bid of $80 million—a victory achieved by granting Fennell and Robbie’s specific demands for a theatrical release and substantial marketing campaign. This decision reflects the filmmakers’ commitment to the cinematic experience and belief that Wuthering Heights deserves to be experienced on the big screen.
Warner Bros.’ existing first-look deal with LuckyChap Entertainment—the partnership that produced Barbie—likely provided additional leverage in securing the project despite the lower financial offer.
Charli XCX’s Musical Contribution
In an innovative creative choice, Fennell commissioned pop sensation Charli XCX to create an entire concept album of original songs for Wuthering Heights. The lead single “House,” featuring Welsh musician John Cale, was released on November 10, 2025, accompanied by a music video directed by Mitch Ryan.
The second song “Chains of Love” debuted alongside the November 13 trailer, providing the soundtrack for the romantic and dramatic footage. The trailer also features Charli XCX’s “Everything Is Romantic,” suggesting the pop artist’s music will play a significant role in establishing the film’s emotional landscape.
This contemporary musical approach to a period drama echoes the successful strategy employed by Baz Luhrmann in films like Romeo + Juliet and The Great Gatsby, using modern music to make classic stories feel immediate and relevant to contemporary audiences.
Addressing the Casting Controversy
Fennell’s decision to cast Jacob Elordi—a white actor—as Heathcliff has sparked ongoing debate within literary and film communities. Emily Brontë’s novel describes Heathcliff as “dark-skinned” and refers to him using the dated term “lascar,” meaning a sailor from India or Southeast Asia. The character’s racial ambiguity and the resulting prejudice he faces form crucial elements of the original story’s social commentary.
In September 2025, Fennell defended her casting choice, stating that Elordi “looked exactly like the illustration of Heathcliff on the first book that I read.” This explanation has not fully satisfied critics who argue that much of the source material’s power derives from the racialized and colonial dynamics within Heathcliff’s adopted family, where he faces routine abuse and bullying partly due to his appearance.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in adapting classic literature for modern audiences—balancing artistic interpretation with fidelity to source material and contemporary expectations regarding representation.
Technical Excellence and Production Values
Principal photography took place in the United Kingdom from late January to early April 2025, utilizing 35mm VistaVision cameras to capture the sweeping landscapes and intimate moments. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren, whose credits include La La Land and First Man, brings his masterful eye for visual storytelling to the Yorkshire moors.
Filming locations included Sky Studios Elstree for interior scenes, with extensive location shooting throughout the Yorkshire Dales. Specific locations encompassed the valleys of Arkengarthdale and Swaledale, the village of Low Row, and the Yorkshire Dales National Park—capturing the wild, untamed beauty that forms such an essential backdrop to Brontë’s story.
Academy Award-nominated composer Anthony Willis will provide the film’s score, creating the musical foundation that supports Charli XCX’s contemporary songs. This dual musical approach promises to bridge classical and modern sensibilities.
The Legacy of Wuthering Heights Adaptations
Wuthering Heights has been adapted for screen numerous times since Emily Brontë published the novel in 1847. William Wyler’s 1939 version starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon received Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, establishing the story’s cinematic pedigree.
More recent adaptations include a 2009 ITV miniseries featuring Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley, and a 2011 theatrical feature starring Kaya Scodelario and James Howson. Each adaptation has brought its own interpretation to the complex relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff, though none have approached the material with Fennell’s distinctively modern, sexually explicit aesthetic.
What Makes This Adaptation Different
Early footage and promotional materials suggest Fennell’s Wuthering Heights will distinguish itself through unabashed eroticism and psychological intensity. The trailer’s tagline—”Drive me mad”—captures the obsessive, destructive passion that defines Catherine and Heathcliff’s relationship.
Unlike previous adaptations that emphasized romantic tragedy within conventional period drama frameworks, Fennell appears to be leaning into the story’s darker, more primal elements. Her approach acknowledges that Brontë’s novel was itself considered shocking and transgressive when published, depicting characters whose passions transcended social conventions and moral boundaries.
The marketing materials describing it as “a bold and original imagining of one of the greatest love stories of all time” promise that Fennell will challenge audiences’ expectations of both Gothic romance and period drama.
Anticipation Builds for Valentine’s Day 2026
As the February 2026 release approaches, Wuthering Heights has positioned itself as one of the most anticipated films of the year. The combination of Fennell’s provocative directorial vision, the star power of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, and the timeless appeal of Brontë’s source material creates a potentially explosive theatrical experience.
Whether Fennell’s interpretation will satisfy purists while attracting new audiences to this classic story remains to be seen. What seems certain is that her Wuthering Heights will spark conversation, debate, and passionate responses—much like the novel itself did nearly 180 years ago.
For audiences seeking grand romance, psychological complexity, and visual splendor on Valentine’s Day weekend 2026, Fennell’s Wuthering Heights promises to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience that will leave them, as the tagline suggests, driven utterly mad.
FAQs
When is Wuthering Heights releasing in theaters?
Wuthering Heights will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures on February 13, 2026 in the United States and February 11, 2026 in the United Kingdom, perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day weekend. The film will have an exclusive theatrical release before any streaming availability.
Who stars in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights?
Margot Robbie stars as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi plays Heathcliff in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes Hong Chau as Nelly Dean, Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton, Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton, and young actors Charlotte Mellington and Owen Cooper as young Catherine and Heathcliff.
How is this Wuthering Heights different from previous adaptations?
Emerald Fennell’s version is described as “hyper-sexualized” and “over-indulgent,” taking a more explicitly erotic approach than previous adaptations. The film features contemporary music by Charli XCX and emphasizes the destructive, obsessive nature of Catherine and Heathcliff’s relationship with modern sensibilities.
Why was the casting of Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff controversial?
The controversy stems from Emily Brontë’s novel describing Heathcliff as “dark-skinned” with racial ambiguity being central to his character and the prejudice he faces. Critics argue that casting a white actor undermines important themes about race and colonialism in the source material.
Is Wuthering Heights connected to Emerald Fennell’s other films?
While not a narrative sequel, Wuthering Heights represents Fennell’s third collaboration with LuckyChap Entertainment (after Promising Young Woman and Saltburn) and continues her distinctive style of provocative, boundary-pushing filmmaking that challenges conventional genre expectations.