When I first heard there was another adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 classic book Wuthering Heights, I didn’t really think much of it. In all honesty, I haven’t even read the book. I have the book, but I have just never gotten around to actually sitting down with a nice cup of tea and investing my time into it. The most knowledge I had about Wuthering Heights was the 1978 hit song ‘Wuthering Heights’ by none other than Kate Bush. Now, I sure do love that song. I would aways imagine myself dancing around a field in a lovely flowing dress, singing in an opera style, which I can definitely, definitely do. 

After the 2026 Emerald Fennell film was released in cinemas on the 13^th of February, I was surprised to see the amount of content about it all over my socials. Did the algorithm just think that I was a massive Wuthering Heights fan outside of Kate Bush? I was intrigued. And so, I succumbed to educating myself on the book, and all the controversies that have arisen with the film.  

And I, like many others, can confidently say I have issues with it. My main problem is that the actor cast to portray Heathcliff, a character who is all but confirmed to be from a Romani background due to his descriptions of darker skin, was none other than The Kissing Booth heart-throb Jacob Elordi. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think Elordi is a great actor. His portrayal of The Creature in the 2025 movie Frankenstein almost brought me to tears. But Elordi is not the correct fit for this role.  

Heathcliff, this isn’t you! 

Whilst Brontë deliberately kept Heathcliff’s ethnicity vague, it is widely agreed upon that he is from a Romani background, and you wouldn’t really think of a white person when someone is described as having darker skin. There is no excuse for this blatant whitewashing, especially when Hollywood currently seems so caught up in its ‘manufactured diversity.’ 

“Wuthering Heights” isn’t even trying to be historically accurate. Much criticism has come from Cathy’s 1900s inspired dresses for a piece of media set in the late 1700s to the early 1800s. Despite this, fans seem split on their opinions on the wardrobe choices, with some seeming to love the whacky dramatic clothes, and others claiming it causes ‘historical harm.’ And honestly, whilst I will admit that Margot Robbie’s red and white dress in the film is gorgeous, it is too modern looking to keep me invested in the film’s time period (if I bothered to see it at all). 

The main artist for this song’s soundtrack was none other than Charlie xcx, the singer behind the immensely popular 2024 album Brat. Charlie xcx is known for her electropop club style songs, which have DJ-like undertones. And whilst I will love Brat until the day I leave this earth, I really didn’t think that she was a good choice for the soundtrack. After giving the album a listen, I don’t think it’s the most unfitting thing I’ve ever heard, but I do feel like there were better choices. I guess it does add to the weird and alternative atmosphere the film seems to have, but to the detriment of straying away from its historical and emotional roots. Social media has gone crazy over the album, with the song ‘House’ featuring John Cale being used in thousands of TikTok edits. And yes, I now do tell people that ‘I think I’m gonna die in this house’ every time I encounter a minor inconvenience. 

“Wuthering Heights”, like many other versions, only depicts the first half of the book, between the original Catherine and Heathcliff, before they have children with different partners. The film however ends with Catherine’s death (spoilers, sorry), with no confirmed plans for a second film depicting the next ‘love story.’  

Overall, those who seem to have read the book seem to dislike it, and those who haven’t seem to love it. I guess it all depends on how much you want the film to depict the original classic book, and whether you’re willing to give it a chance to stand on its own. Having the name stylised in quotation marks does give it more creative freedom, but at the end of the day, Wuthering Heights is Wuthering Heights, and we should expect an accurate adaptation, both historically, and in regards to the original plot and characters. 

It’s not one for me. I think I could get round to watching it after a couple of pints down the pub, but that would not stop me from subjecting my friends to the same rant you have just read here. 

Written by Lydia Gallagher 

Edited by Jemima Humphrey 

Subedited by Kadie Cooper