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Emerald Fennell’s 2026 adaptation of Wuthering Heights turns Emily Brontë’s classic novel into a visually arresting, fiercely romantic drama—even as its modern flourishes sometimes disrupt the illusion.

Jacob Elordi stars as Heathcliff opposite Margot Robbie as Catherine, tracing the pair’s turbulent, obsessive bond from childhood into adulthood. Their relationship remains the story’s driving force, with its early tenderness laying the groundwork for the destructive passion that follows.

The windswept Yorkshire moors provide an evocative backdrop. Muted colors, dim lighting and gloomy gray skies create an atmosphere that feels sorrowful yet faintly hopeful, drawing viewers into the bleak landscape surrounding the characters.

Some design choices, however, look conspicuously contemporary. The glossy exterior stones of Wuthering Heights lack the weathered appearance expected of the period, while Charli XCX’s soundtrack gives the film another pronounced modern edge. At times, that collision of historical scenery and contemporary music weakens the sense of immersion.

The adaptation also makes a major structural departure from the novel. Brontë’s story unfolds through a nonlinear narrative filled with recollections and shifts in time, but the film presents Heathcliff and Catherine’s relationship chronologically. Although less faithful to the book, the streamlined approach makes the plot easier to follow.

Owen Cooper plays the young Heathcliff, while Charlotte Mellington portrays the young Catherine. Their performances convincingly establish the childhood connection that later develops into the consuming romance at the center of the story. Cooper comes to the film after winning a Golden Globe for his supporting television performance in Adolescence.

Despite its historical inconsistencies and creative risks, Wuthering Heights retains the emotional core of Brontë’s 19th-century novel. The result is a bold and energetic retelling that refreshes a familiar story, even when its modern touches compete with the world it is trying to create.