The Most Controversial Film of 2026: Emerald Fennell's "Wuthering Heights" Has Everyone Talking...
"Wuthering Heights" was one of the most polarizing films released this year—and the side I chose might suprise you.
Directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi alongside many familiar faces like Shazad Latif (Profile, 2018) and Alison Oliver (Saltburn, 2023). This film left me bawling my eyes out, but not for the reasons many have assumed.
Synopsis (No Spoilers)
"Wuthering Heights" is the reimagined story of Emily Brontë's novel by the same name (minus the quotation marks). It follows the toxic (and debatable) love story between a woman named Catherine and her childhood best friend, Heathcliff. Little did she know, she would one day be forced to choose between him and a life expected of her.
🎥 Click here to watch spoiler-free synopsis! 🍿
What Worked
As someone who has not finished reading the book, I think that Emerald Fennell's story was phenomenal. It captures a pair of flawed humans in a world full of expectations and societal pressures; where their desires clash with what others expect them, as well as their own morality.
The cinematography and costume design was gorgeous, and the soundtrack has been playing in my head for days. And since spicy romance is my guilty pleasure, I have to admit, those scenes took me by suprise.
Finally, the element of my review that has been misconstrued by many: the reason why I was bawling my eyes out at the end of the film... (Scroll to Botton)
🎥 Click here to watch the full spoiler video! 🍿
What Might Not Work (For Others)
This is a reimagined version of a very popular novel, and if you have read the original, then you may have some gripes with it. Based on what I've read, Emerald Fennell's "Wuthering Heights" changes many elements of the story, including Heathcliff's race, Nelly's character, Isabella's character, etc. It also skips many of the deeper elements that gave the story substance.
Personal Opinion: As someone who loved the film, Fennell could have benefitted greatly by changing the name, especially when she already changed most of the story. And I do not believe she would have done the original story and it's elements justice while also trying to make it a spicy, dark, tragic romance. I still want to see an adaption that is faithful to the novel.
Also, if you have an intense sensitivity to cheating, don't watch this. It is an element of the story and it appears that there are a number of people have clung to (see below).
The Vibe
I saw it in theaters (which I don't regret), but if I would have known... I would've watched this one at home with a good bottle of wine and popcorn. Definitely not one to see with your parents or honestly... anyone. If you're anything like me, it's a solo mission, because it feels a bit awkward.
The Verdict: Watch With Caution.
"Wuthering Heights" is bold, controversial, visually stunning, and one that will get people talking. If you ask me, it's worth the watch , but with caution.
@thewatchedlist Replying to @Alexandra_Perez SPOILER WARNING⚠️ “Wuthering Heights” (2026) Movie Spoiled. 🖤 #moviespoiler #longervideos #moviestowatch ♬ original sound - Bree Stephens
THE SPOILER EXPLANATION
After sharing my review of Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights, a number of men swarmed the comment section...
@Kris Angelov133: The whole plot of the movie is about a girl constantly cheating on a man who gives her everything btw🙏
@Joseph obi: basically romanticizing cheating
@MelBHD: Crying over a cheating movie scream red flag
@drspac: CIA cooked with this one
I loved their enthusiasm to share commentary, but it was clear they missed the point (and what I said in the video). Yes, cheating was an element of the story, but that wasn't being romanticized — and as we established, it's not the reason I cried.
Yes, Catherine cheated on Mr. Linton with the man she grew up with. No, I cannot relate, and no, I do not resonate with her actions. To me, she was comparable to a person on reality TV that you just wish would do better... but she doesn't.
Disclaimer: I have not finished reading Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, therefore everything I share is based on how I perceived Emerald Fennell's reimagined version.
Catherine's infidelity did not stop me from having sympathy for her when she died of sepsis due to an untreated miscarriage. Her character was flawed by design, and the only person who could relate to what she endured as a child was Heathcliff. They had a trauma bond, and although that bond was toxic, I am human — and I still feel sympathy for her demise and for what could have been.
What many people also missed is that throughout the first act of the film, Catherine is being dishonest about her feelings for Heathcliff, until the day she impulsively accepts Mr. Linton's proposal. As she's confiding in Nelly, it's clear she hasn't made up her mind about going through with it, so Nelly chooses for her (without her knowing), and Heathcliff leaves. After this, Catherine made numerous attempts not to marry Mr. Linton:
The following day, she attempted to see Mr. Linton and call it off.
While waiting for Heathcliff's return, she avoided Mr. Linton and postponed the wedding for an entire year.
The day of the wedding, she told Nelly she wanted to push it off even longer.
Every time she resisted, Nelly was there to tell her to go through with it. I do believe she did so with the best intentions, but she was also a symbol of societal pressure — and Catherine was clearly a woman who didn't like feeling like a bird in a cage.
@SuperNoodles: So why marry him cause she’s a gold digger aswell?
During the 1800s, marriage was primarily used as a tool to secure economic stability, consolidate family wealth, and gain social status. It was more like a business partnership than what we see today.
Love wasn't the first priority, and in Catherine's case, her father's alcohol and gambling addiction put her in a vulnerable position — where Mr. Earnshaw (and even Nelly) were relying on her to marry rich to save their financial and social status.
@Ameer Khan: So if you're in a marriage that you don't want to be in, despite the man takes care of you with everything, thats a good reason to cheat?
@Bree Stephens: This isn’t the 1800s, Ameer. 😂 If I don’t want to get married to someone, I’m not getting married.
Now, let me reiterate: none of what I said was an excuse for Catherine's actions. I still believe what she and Heathcliff had was toxic, and it's unfortunate Mr. Linton and Isabella were caught in the crossfire. At the same time, in my eyes, Catherine and Heathcliff were two villains who were meant for each other — but stuck in a time where society, class, and status wouldn't allow them to be together. If it did...
Well, that'd be a different story.