Jacob Elordi (Heathcliff) and Margot Robbie (Catherine) in 'Wuthering Heights,' directed by Emerald Fennell. WARNER BROS PICTURES
E
ver since production was first announced, Wuthering Heights, an adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel of the same name, has been marketed as "the Romeo and Juliet of this generation." The film was directed by Emerald Fennell, known for her pop aesthetics and Instagram-ready provocations. Fennell previously directed Saltburn, which shocked viewers in 2023 with a menstrual cunnilingus scene and a character drinking bathwater tainted with semen.
The trailer for Wuthering Heights, however, promises "the greatest love story of all time," filmed with all the passion of the 19th century – but without its associated chastity. With the film featuring two of Hollywood's most attractive stars, Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, along with wet shirts, wall-licking and a series of pleasure-filled moans, the clear aim is to stir the senses. Movie theaters seized the opportunity, organizing special events with gifts, champagne or chocolates on offer when the film was first released on Valentine's Day. Meanwhile, the accommodation platform Airbnb is encouraging fans to "immerse themselves in the film's dark and passionate universe" by booking Cathy's room in the Yorkshire region of England.
