Genre: Gothic Romance / Drama

Release Date: February 13, 2026 (Valentine’s Day weekend)

Overview:

Wuthering Heights (2026) is a bold new cinematic take on Emily Brontë’s 1847 classic, reimagined by Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman, Saltburn) with a sensuous, modern edge while retaining the story’s core of obsessive, destructive love. The film stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, joined by Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, and Alison Oliver in a cast that brings fresh energy to this timeless gothic tale.

What Works:

1. Magnetic Central Performances

Margot Robbie’s Catherine pulsates with fierce passion and defiant spirit. Her portrayal feels raw and unpredictable—at times vulnerable, at times uncompromising—giving new life to a character too often romanticized in adaptations. Jacob Elordi’s brooding, intense Heathcliff captures the character’s torment and unrelenting obsession, creating a volatile on-screen chemistry that anchors the narrative.

2. Fennell’s Distinctive Vision

Emerald Fennell brings a daring directorial voice, blending gothic moodiness with contemporary intimacy. Her version leans into psychological tension and visual artistry, emphasizing wild, untamed landscapes and emotional extremes rather than merely recreating the novel’s period setting.

3. Visual & Musical Worldbuilding

The Yorkshire moors loom like a character in their own right—windswept, unforgiving, and elemental—mirroring the internal chaos of Catherine and Heathcliff’s bond. Complemented by an evocative original score and songs crafted with Charli XCX, the film’s soundscape enhances its haunting atmosphere.

4. Passionate, Unsettling Tone

Unlike many past adaptations that soften the book’s edges into pure romance, this version embraces the story’s darker undercurrents: obsession, jealousy, vengeance, and emotional wreckage. That makes it a romantic tragedy that feels raw and affecting in equal measure.

Final Verdict:

4 / 5 Stars

Wuthering Heights (2026) stands out as one of the most daring screen adaptations of Emily Brontë’s masterpiece. It pairs riveting performances and atmospheric filmmaking with a raw, emotionally charged reimagining that honors the novel’s spirit without simply retreading old ground. Fans of gothic romance and intense character work will find it powerful, though its bold choices may spark debate among classicists.

“A love that ravages like the storm-winds of the moors—beautiful, brutal, and unforgettable.”