A Passion-Driven Reimagining of a Classic

Emerald Fennell’s 2026 adaptation of Wuthering Heights takes Emily Brontë’s classic and refocuses it into a highly charged, stylistically bold romantic drama. The film hones in on the tempestuous connection between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, amplifying passion and raw emotional energy against the windswept Yorkshire moors.

Visually rich and unabashed in its erotic tone, the movie emphasizes chemistry between the leads while reimagining key plot beats, including a truncated narrative that foregrounds the lovers’ intense, often destructive bond. Some choices (like casting and costume design) have sparked strong reactions, and tonal shifts between lush imagery and intimate character moments give the film an unmistakable, singular identity. The result is a divisive but undeniable re-envisioning that eschews traditional fidelity in favor of atmosphere, style, and visceral immediacy.

Revival of Brontë

Warner Bros.’ Wuthering Heights opened strongly at the box office, topping the North American weekend and earning robust global ticket sales in its first weeks of release.

As a cultural phenomenon, the film has stirred intense debate with its erotic approach, casting decisions, and departure from Brontë’s generational scope, prompting audiences and commentators to reexamine what a literary adaptation can be. Its ratings reflect a mix of admiration and frustration, revealing as many fans drawn to its visual energy and performances as critics unsettled by its liberties with character and plot structure.

The conversation around the movie has boosted visibility for the original novel and deepened interest in Brontë’s legacy, even as opinions remain sharply divided on whether this version enhances or oversimplifies the source material.

A Passion-Driven Reimagining of a Classic

Revival of Brontë

Wuthering Heights Main Characters