Warner Bros. Pictures has released the first trailer for the highly anticipated 2026 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, and fans are divided. Directed by Emerald Fennell, this new take on the 1847 classic has become the subject of intense online debate, largely because of the provocative scenes between Margot Robbie’s Catherine and Jacob Elordi’s Heathcliff.
In one moment from the trailer, Heathcliff leans close to Catherine and asks, “Do you want me to stop?” as he touches her stomach. She softly responds, “No.” It’s a scene that immediately caught viewers’ attention and sparked discussions about whether the adaptation oversexualizes the iconic dark romance.
Wuthering Heights | Official Trailer pic.twitter.com/d0LMIucPjT
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A Modern Gothic Twist
Adding a contemporary layer to the story, Charli XCX provides an original soundtrack, including the track “Everything Is Romantic”, giving the trailer a modern pop edge while the film dives into its Gothic roots. Other notable cast members include Hong Chau as Nelly Dean, Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton, Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton, alongside Martin Clunes and Ewan Mitchell in supporting roles.
The original novel is framed through diary entries from a tenant who learns about Heathcliff’s tumultuous life from the housekeeper, recounting Catherine’s love, her marriage to Edgar Linton, and Heathcliff’s vengeful schemes. But the trailer emphasizes the intense, erotic aspects of Catherine and Heathcliff’s bond, a shift that has sparked controversy.
Fans React: From Shock to Support
Social media has been a battleground for opinions. Some readers of the classic expressed disappointment at what they see as a departure from Brontë’s original vision.
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@sk8ting_nem0 quipped: “What in the 50 shades of Bridgerton is going on here?”
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@a.moretti_94 lamented: “This sucks. Emily, we’re so sorry.”
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Others questioned the portrayal of Heathcliff and Catherine, worried it erases the depth of their tragic connection.
Yet, not all reactions were negative. Many fans defended the creative liberties taken by Fennell and the production team.
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@jadylicious.20 wrote: “Am I the one who’s not disappointed?! They just amplified the dark romance elements of this literary classic… I love how they hammered onto the Gothic vibes too.”
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@victoriadeblauss simply said, “Holy crap, this trailer is phenomenal.”
A Valentine’s Day Release
Set to premiere February 13, 2026, just ahead of Valentine’s Day, Wuthering Heights promises to attract audiences looking for a passionate and Gothic take on one of literature’s most infamous love stories. Whether viewers embrace or criticize it, the trailer has succeeded in one way: getting everyone talking about Heathcliff and Catherine’s enduring, tumultuous romance.
{Source: IOL}
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