"Join Now": Bold 'Wuthering Heights' Remake Shocks Audiences with Explicit Adult Content
In the world of cinema, anticipation is often high for new adaptations of classic novels. However, Emerald Fennell's 2026 take on Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights has stirred up a storm of controversy, with its provocative and explicit content, as well as its casting choices.
The most contentious issue has been the casting of Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw, a character who traditionally dies by age 18. At 35, Robbie's age has been seen as a misfit with the character’s youth and storyline, sparking accusations of historical and character inaccuracy. Additionally, the casting of Jacob Elordi, a white actor, in the racially ambiguous role of Heathcliff has also fuelled debate.
The film's content has been described by early test viewers as "sexually explicit," "tonally abrasive," and "aggressively provocative," echoing Fennell’s style seen in her previous film Saltburn. Scenes reportedly include discomforting masturbation, sexual bondage with horse reins, and grotesque imagery such as a man ejaculating mid-execution by hanging. These explicit and shock-value set pieces have led to visible audience restlessness and backlash.
The casting director, Kharmel Cochrane, has faced extreme hostility from fans upset by the casting decisions, including death threats. This has intensified the controversy surrounding the production.
Cochrane has suggested that fans wait until they watch the movie before expressing their opinions, and she teased that the set design might be shocking. The World of Reel critique observes that the adaptation marks a bold and unexpected approach, suggesting that it might be the most unusual Wuthering Heights to date.
A poll question on Bored Panda asks if people would watch a Wuthering Heights adaptation that breaks from tradition. The question has sparked a lively debate among netizens, with opinions ranging from those who are eager to see a fresh take on the classic novel to those who believe that the adaptation strays too far from its source material.
One netizen wrote that showing the depths of human depravity hasn't changed much in a few hundred years, suggesting a middle ground perspective. The film allegedly starts with a public hanging and "quickly descends into grotesque absurdity."
As the release date approaches, the controversy surrounding the production has heightened some fans' anticipation for the film. An attendee at a sneak preview pointed out that while Robbie and Elordi had great chemistry, their characters were "so cold and unlikable that even strong acting can't create a point of connection."
The latest adaptation of Wuthering Heights has been described as "deliberately unromantic" and full of "salacious detours that serve shock value." Whether this bold reinterpretation will win over audiences remains to be seen.
[1] The World of Reel critique [2] Kharmel Cochrane interview [3] Bored Panda poll results
People are eagerly waiting for the movie adaptation of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, yet it has stirred up controversies regarding the casting choices and explicit content.
The controversial adaptation, set to release soon, has been described as "sexually explicit," "tonally abrasive," and "aggressively provocative," causing visible audience restlessness and backlash. Given this, the opinions of viewers on the movie have already started pouring in, with various responses being expressed through online polls and articles, such as on Bored Panda.
