Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights,” came out on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Fennell is best known for directing “Saltburn” and “Promising Young Woman.” This new release stars Jacob Elordi (“Euphoria” and “Saltburn”) and Margot Robbie (“Barbie” and “I, Tonya”). The film is a loose adaptation of the novel “Wuthering Heights” written by Emily Brontë in 1847. The book is a story about the class struggle between two families and the forbidden love between servant Heathcliff and wealthy Catherine “Cathy” Earnshaw. It is known for its dark plot and gothic nature.
The film is not supposed to be a true adaptation, but more of an interpretation. The original novel has many time skips that would be near impossible to accomplish in a film, which is why this adaptation has decided to omit this element all together.
The film begins when Catherine and Heathcliff are children, providing a foundational understanding of what actions the characters end up taking later in the film. There is a time jump, where Cathy and Heathcliff are grown up, but still dealing with their sequestered childhoods. Rather than through extensive background or exposition, Fennell chooses to articulate these characters primarily through their relationships with eachother. This element is unique and engaging but can lack depth at points.
The film’s real strength is the atmosphere. The set, hair, and costuming are all extraordinary. The moors of Yorkshire, England are brought to life and made their own character. The wind and the rain speak almost as much as each character does. When the wind changes the audience knows to expect a dramatic change. The huge widepan shots are representative of the complete isolation the characters live in. Catherine never leaves the moors her whole life, and the setting adds to the sense of isolation she feels, even when surrounded by her family. The costumes speak to each character’s outward mood. They allow the viewer a glimpse into how each character wants to present themselves. Throughout the movie, the costumes act as a symbol for each character’s progression; for instance, going from more polished to less, or vice versa. Hair is another strong motif brought up numerous times in the film, with the opening title written eerily in strands of hair. The ambiance emphasizes the unsettling, somewhat dreamlike feel that encapsulates “Wuthering Heights.”
All things considered, the film is not an exact adaptation of Brontë’s gothic romance novel “Wuthering Heights.” If one goes into the film expecting a true adaptation of the original novel, they would leave the theaters disappointed. As its own, individual work of art, the film proves to be a beautiful picture, throwing the audience into the setting. “Wuthering Heights” is a movie really made to be seen in a theater to experience the true atmospheric nature of it.