Wuthering Heights might just be the film that makes me kiss reviewing romantic movies goodbye. Emerald Fennell directed and wrote the screenplay for this gothic romantic movie, which hit cinemas on February 13, 2026. Since its release, the film has made waves on the internet, largely due to its erotic plot and the enchanting male lead, Jacob Elordi.
The movie tells the story of a love that fate seemingly opposes, involving an orphan and a girl with a troubled father. However, the story soon spirals into something unthinkable. This review contains no spoilers, but it will reveal the truth about Wuthering Heights and the outstanding performances of its wonderful cast, including Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, who brought this intense story to life.
Premise
The narrative of Wuthering Heights opens in a rather jarring manner. In 1771, a man faced public hanging for an unknown crime. His suffering sends spectators, including Catherine Earnshaw and her paid companion Nelly Dean, into a frenzy. Shortly after, Cathy’s abrasive father, Mr. Earnshaw, returns to his gothic estate on the Yorkshire Moors. The castle looks like it harbors vampires and gargoyles. Upon his return, the family finds a young boy hiding in Cathy’s room. He looks cold and hungry, yet Cathy gladly welcomes him. Mr. Earnshaw, who spoils Cathy, decides she can keep the lad as her companion.
Cathy immediately becomes protective of the boy, naming him Heathcliff after her deceased brother. She plays with him and teaches the young lad how to read. However, this peace ends shortly because he possesses a bad temper and cannot stand her hovering over him. As time passes, the pair become inseparable, and one could easily mistake them for siblings. Eventually, an event changes that narrative. When they get trapped in the rain and return home late on Mr. Earnshaw’s birthday, Heathcliff assumes the blame. Consequently, he receives a whipping that leaves his back permanently scarred.
In the blink of an eye, years pass. Catherine and Heathcliff grow into adults, but the gloomy presence in Wuthering Heights seems to worsen. With her father’s alcoholism and gambling addiction heightening, debts steep the family. Cathy sees an opportunity to escape the depression that Wuthering Heights brings. She considers marrying a rich city councilor her father arranged for her, but the arrangement falls apart when her suitor fails to show up. This disappointment sends her into a confused mood, and she roams outside the castle. There, she discovers a beautiful mansion she had never seen before and decides to meet the inhabitants by climbing the high fence to eavesdrop.
She finds Isabella and her brother Edgar Linton, a wealthy textile merchant. The three form a familiar friendship, which results in Catherine becoming Edgar’s wife. This news devastates Heathcliff, as he feels a love for Catherine far beyond sibling affection. He becomes visibly vexed, and his behavior makes Catherine rethink her decision. She shares her hurt with Nelly, who persuades her to marry for a better future rather than love.
Heathcliff overhears a hurtful part of the conversation and leaves Wuthering Heights. The marriage proceeds, yet Catherine remains fully aware that her heart belongs to Heathcliff. Despite the luxury she now enjoys, her heart feels empty. She hopes Heathcliff will return, fearing death may have taken him.
Her wishes come true when Heathcliff returns after five Christmases. He is no longer the servant we knew but a man of unspoken wealth. His presence threatens Catherine’s marriage, and she does the unthinkable. You must see the movie to discover if she follows her heart or fights off the temptation.
Cast and Performance
Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff
We all know Jacob, the man with the yearning eyes and mythological build. The moment I saw him in the trailer for Wuthering Heights, I knew I had to review this movie. I do not typically enjoy romance, but if Jacob stars in it, I am watching.
His performance as Heathcliff isn’t his best work recently. He performed better in Frankenstein, so I expected more since he raised the bar so high. He plays dark romance well, but the script gave his character little depth. For the entire two hours, he did more acting with his eyes, lips, and voice than he did with the character’s internal struggle.
Margot Robbie as Catherine
Robbie’s performance as Cathy was a sight to behold. She effectively showed how love can grow into lust, inevitably turning into an unhealthy obsession and codependence. She played the role of an unconventional princess forced to choose between a good choice and a better one. Unfortunately, she made the choice that scarred her for life. Throughout her display, she embodied heartbreak and the suffering it brings.
Hong Chau as Nelly Dean
Hong played Nelly, the illegitimate daughter of a respected lord. Tucked away and forgotten by the public, she serves as Cathy’s not-so-loving companion. Out of envy, Nelly loathed Cathy for picking Heathcliff over her. Hong embodied this secret animosity effortlessly through her acting.
Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton
Shazad played the sweet, charming Edgar. He represents every mentally stable woman’s dream husband. Edgar possessed wealth, but beyond that, he carried the intentionality of love and expressed it to Cathy in every way possible. Shazad delivered a beautiful performance. He gave off the vibe of an actor performing in a live theater play. He was very evocative, which is something Jacob failed to emit.
Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton
If you thought Rachel’s performance in Send Help was bizarre, wait until you see Alison’s portrayal of the delusional Isabella. Alison plays the emotionally deprived Isabella, who lived behind the protective walls of Edgar’s mansion. She has no true friends and quickly embraces Cathy when her brother marries her. However, you will see why that friendship does not last long.
What I Liked
First of all, hats off to the talented young actors who graced our screens for the first twenty minutes. Teens like Vy Nguyen as young Nelly Dean, Charlotte Mellington as young Catherine, and Owen Cooper as young Heathcliff did a remarkable job setting this love story in motion. We needed that innocence at the beginning.
I also enjoyed the plot. It feels original, passing easily as a good watch, though perhaps not a masterpiece. Furthermore, the cinematography felt intimate. Moments where the characters stood still looked like paintings caught in time. Honestly, it was lovely. The costumes were quite exquisite and really hit the mark.
What I Didn’t Like
If there is such a thing as doing too much, then yes, Wuthering Heights did a little too much regarding the intimate scenes. I anticipated a movie centered around yearning and a boy trying to reach a star far away from him. Instead, I met a boy who had the star within his reach but turned that love into insatiable desires and eventually hate.
The truth about Wuthering Heights is that it differs from the trailer. While the script contained beautiful, rich words, the depth the filmmakers hoped to reach fell short.
Verdict
If you enjoy dark romance, aimless yearning, and a plot that runs in circles, then please see Wuthering Heights. You will love it for the plot, and by the plot, I mean the leading man.
The movie is rated 18+ for a reason. If you need an erotic movie for you and your significant other to see for your anniversary, or just for the sake of your romantic preference, then by all means, see Wuthering Heights.
My Rating
For its devotion to the aesthetic, Wuthering Heights earns a 3.5 out of 5.
Do you think Wuthering Heights is worth the hype?
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