‘Saltburn’ director Emerald Fennell’s upcoming ‘Wuthering Heights’ adaptation has landed with a bang – and not just for cinematic reasons. While the hotly anticipated movie won’t hit cinemas until Valentine’s Day 2026, the release of the film’s first official teaser has sparked fresh debate that began with the polarising casting announcement last year. In the wake of this new footage, moviegoers, the online zeitgeist, and fans of Emily Brontë’s classic are more divided than ever – many taking issue with creative choices that seem to stray far from the novel’s core tone and themes.
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When Brontë Meets ‘Brat’
The uproar first began with the controversial casting of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the film’s leads, Catherine and Heathcliff. Elordi’s appointment as the brooding Heathcliff sparked accusations of whitewashing and cultural erasure for a character perceived by many readers to be of ambiguous, possibly non-white heritage – a background heavily implied in the novel to play a crucial role in his outsider status. On the other side, the 35-year-old Robbie’s casting as Catherine Earnshaw raised eyebrows due to her age – significantly older than a character who never even passes the age of 20 throughout the story.
Controversy surrounding the film only deepened with the release of the first official teaser – set to a remixed version of Charli XCX’s ‘Everything Is Romantic.’ The teaser itself leaned heavily into stylised, exaggerated eroticism, showing scenes rich with tension, sexuality, and provocative imagery. Another tidbit introduced to many through this teaser? The inclusion of several original Charli XCX songs for the film, combining modern pop with Brontë’s Gothic drama. This overlay has been seen by some as emblematic of the film’s broader approach – reframing a classic tale through a contemporary, and sometimes divisive, lens.
A Clash Of Expectations
Reaction to the teaser has been fierce and far from neutral. Many argue that it twists the novel’s dark, brooding themes into something overtly sensational and hyper-sexualised. Fans fear the film will prioritise style over substance, drifting away from the book’s raw, complex exploration of love, obsession, and emotional cruelty. Charli XCX’s musical presence only added fuel to the fire – some fans feel the pop elements clash with the period setting and tone, while others are intrigued by the audacious fusion.
Social media similarly lit up after the teaser’s release, with critics and literature purists lambasting what they view as a betrayal of Brontë’s intentions. Key themes of the novel – social stigma, emotional cruelty, and destructive passion – are feared to be overshadowed by gratuitous eroticism and overly stylised flourishes. Comments ranged from disappointment to outright anger, accusing Fennell of relying on shock value – reducing the film to mere spectacle by sacrificing the novel’s depth and nuance.
Sneak Peeks Spark More Debate Ahead of Release
Amid the online backlash, some lucky viewers have attended early test screenings of the full film – getting the chance to judge the entire movie rather than a 90-second teaser. Feedback has been mixed, and this split reaction has only kept the ‘Wuthering Heights’ conversation alive and intensifying.
With the February 2026 release date looming, whether Fennell’s vision ultimately wins over critics and audiences remains to be seen. One thing is clear: this adaptation is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about – and divisive – takes on a literary classic in recent memory.
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
