It sounds perfect—a movie starring two popular actors, Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie. For many fans, it was a movie they enjoyed for the acting, the cast, and the drama, even with its dark romantic storyline. However, for others, it was a movie they criticized and disliked.
On February 13, 2026, “Wuthering Heights” made its debut in theaters, which is still in theaters as of today and will be leaving in late April or May. The movie is an adaptation of the 1847 novel by Emily Brontë. The film and book follow the tragic love story of Heathcliff (played by Jacob Elordi) and Catherine Earnshaw (played by Margot Robbie), who meet when Catherine’s father brings the orphaned, homeless Heathcliff to “Wuthering Heights” (a farmhouse in Northern England). The two characters fall in love at a young age, but Catherine marries Edgar Linton (a man born into a wealthy family on his family estate) to keep a stable and higher social status. During this period, Heathcliff is also abused by Catherine’s brother Hindley. Both these reasons cause Heathcliff to run away and never return until three years later for revenge against the Lintons and Hindley.
The movie has received praise from fans online who have made posts showing their love for the actors, specifically videos of Robbie and Elordi on the movie premiere carpet and behind the scenes. Edits of the movie have also surfaced online, along with people’s reactions to the cinematic piece. Many viewers have shown a before and after of them watching the film, in which they were moved by the tragic story and sobbed at the ending.
Despite much love being shown, there was also criticism. Critics and netizens have shared their disapproval of the movie because it is not accurate to the 1847 book and is stated to be “too modernized.” For example, the movie is a faster-paced love story and has more sexual scenes compared to the book, which has no sexual content. One aspect that struck viewers was the appearance of the characters. In the book, Catherine Earnshaw is brunette, while in the movie, she is depicted as a blonde. The biggest appearance change is the casting of Heathcliff. In the book, Heathcliff is described as dark-skinned with black hair and eyes. In the movie, he is light-skinned and has brown hair and eyes. This has caused many critics to be upset and say the director (Emerald Fennell) is trying to “whitewash” the movie. Even with these opinions, Fennell confirmed in interviews that the movie is not accurate to the book but rather focuses on the intense romantic emotions around the storyline. CHS senior Jenelle Innabi shared her insight on the movie as someone who watched it in theaters on its release date.
Innabi shared that she really likes the movie. Some of the things she liked were the set, makeup, costumes, and characters. She also shared what she thought of the actors. “The actors made the movie really good, and I liked who they chose,” Innabi said. “I do think that there were too many sexual scenes; I could’ve done without that many.”
Whether or not the movie is “too modernized,” students like Innabi share the feeling and opinion that many movie lovers have shared. Fans of the movie have expressed that they think the storyline and actors are great, despite the casting not being accurate to the novel. As for Heathcliff’s controversy, “I don’t think the director was trying to whitewash the movie–I think people are prejudiced against her and are trying to find any reason to hate on her,” Innabi said.
When it comes to “Wuthering Heights,” it is not surprising that it faces a mix of reviews. With many films and TV shows, it is common that not everyone sees eye to eye on them. In the end, it is obvious this film has left an impression on people, whether or not they love or hate it. For now, that is a wrap on the split reviews of “Wuthering Heights.”
