Margot Robbie stars in a passionate new romance : NPR
Emerald Fennell’s new film Wuthering Heights arrives as a lavish, contemporary take on Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff.
Historical context and source material
More than a decade ago The New Yorker published “Can Wuthering Heights Work Onscreen?” where Joshua Rothman argued that the novel endures for its “strangeness, its intensity, and its violence.” Those elements are often muted in previous screen versions that focus on the doomed romance.
Fennell’s cinematic approach
Fennell, known for the satirical thriller Saltburn, abandons subtlety in favour of “mad, passionate excess,” using bright red spray‑paint imagery rather than delicate brushstrokes.
Cast and visual style
Robbie and Elordi bring a photogenic intensity to Catherine and Heathcliff, while Shazad Latif portrays Edgar Linton and Alison Oliver appears as Isabella, the Linton ward who fuels Heathcliff’s revenge.
Plot outline
The story opens in the late 18th century on the Yorkshire moors, where a young Catherine meets the scruffy orphan Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights.
Years later, Catherine marries the wealthy Edgar Linton. Heathcliff returns, now rich, and seeks either Catherine’s love or vengeance, targeting Isabella to inflame Edgar’s jealousy.
Sexuality and anachronism
Fennell injects a “hot‑and‑heavy” sexuality, staging rain‑soaked encounters that blend wicked humour with earnest emotion.
Production choices
The soundtrack features moody tracks by Charli xcx, while the set design includes a bright red acrylic floor and Met‑Gala‑ready gowns that see Robbie shifting wardrobes as frequently as in Barbie.
Race and casting history
Brontë describes Heathcliff as a “dark‑skinned gypsy,” yet the role has traditionally been played by white actors—Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes, Tom Hardy, and now Jacob Elordi.
Alternative adaptations
Andrea Arnold’s 2012 version casts Black actors Solomon Glave and James Howson as younger and older Heathcliff, offering a somber, realistic counterpoint to Fennell’s flamboyance.
Potential impact
The film could inspire future adaptations to embrace contemporary aesthetics, and it may spark renewed debate about authentic racial representation in classic literature adaptations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directs the new Wuthering Heights film?
English filmmaker Emerald Fennell wrote and directed the movie.
Which actors portray Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff?
Margot Robbie plays Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi plays Heathcliff.
How does this version differ from earlier adaptations?
Fennell emphasizes overt sexuality, modern soundtrack elements, and avant‑garde production design, contrasting with the more somber, realistic tone of earlier versions such as Andrea Arnold’s 2012 film.
What are your thoughts on reimagining a classic novel with such striking contemporary flair?