A storm is forming over the cinematic moors as Warner Bros. unveils the full trailer for Wuthering Heights, Emerald Fennell’s provocative reimagining of Emily Brontë’s iconic novel. Set for release on February 13, 2026—just in time for Valentine’s Day—the film takes Cathy and Heathcliff’s tragic love story into fiercer, more stylized territory.
The trailer is filled with thunderous emotions, from longing to rage, painting a portrait of two lovers whose passion burns too bright to survive. Right away, it becomes clear that Fennell intends not just to adapt the novel but to reinterpret it for a new generation.
Film analyst Dana Hensley said, “This trailer suggests Fennell is pushing the boundaries of period drama in ways we haven’t seen before.” And with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi at the center, expectations are soaring.
Introduction to the New Wuthering Heights Adaptation
Directed and written by Academy Award winner Emerald Fennell, the film brings together a stellar cast and a visionary creative team. Robbie stars as Catherine Earnshaw with a striking blend of fragility and ferocity, while Elordi steps into Heathcliff’s brooding complexity with haunting conviction.
In an official statement, director Emerald Fennell said,
“Wuthering Heights has lived inside me since I was a teenager. This film is my attempt to capture the dangerous, intoxicating power of its emotions.”
Producer Tom Ackerley added, “This is not a polite costume drama. It’s a raw, beating heart of a story, and Fennell embraces every thorn of it.”
Payment Details: Film Release Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Film Title | Wuthering Heights (2026) |
| Director | Emerald Fennell |
| Main Cast | Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Shazad Latif, Hong Chau |
| Genre | Romance, Drama |
| Release Date | February 13, 2026 |
| Production Company | LuckyChap Entertainment |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. |
| Based On | Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel |
Key Features
The full-length trailer highlights Fennell’s bold visual and emotional choices. Key features include:
- A sweeping childhood-to-adulthood portrayal of Cathy and Heathcliff
- Modern-infused costume choices and vibrant color palettes
- Heavy emotional tone with themes of obsession, betrayal, and revenge
- Passionate scenes marked by rain, tears, and longing
- A new Charli XCX original track, Chains of Love, created for the film’s soundtrack
Film scholar Lila Morgan observes, “Fennell appears to treat the novel not as a period artifact, but as a psychological battlefield.”
Eligibility Rules (Production & Casting Context)
While not about viewer eligibility, key production details shape the film’s identity:
- Written & directed by Emerald Fennell
- Produced by LuckyChap Entertainment
- Robbie, Ackerley, and McNamara serve as main producers
- Cast includes Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Shazad Latif, Hong Chau, Alison Oliver
- Includes three young actors playing the characters’ childhood versions
- Executive produced by Sara Desmond
- Theatrical release scheduled for February 13, 2026
Benefits of the New Adaptation
The 2026 film delivers:
- A daring vision blending classic storytelling with modern psychological insight
- Career-defining performances from Robbie and Elordi
- Bold, evocative filmmaking that challenges period-drama norms
- A soundtrack designed for emotional impact, thanks to Charli XCX
- Stronger engagement for younger audiences through stylized, expressive visuals
Film commentator Evelyn Rhodes states,
“If any director can turn a literary classic into a visceral experience, it’s Emerald Fennell.”
Comparison: How It Differs From Past Adaptations?
| Adaptation | Year | Style | Distinctive Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Fuest Version | 1970 | Gothic | Classic romantic tragedy |
| Peter Kominsky Version | 1992 | Literary | Faithful, traditional tone |
| Andrea Arnold Version | 2011 | Naturalistic | Gritty realism |
| Emerald Fennell Version | 2026 | Provocative, stylized | Anachronisms, modern music, heightened sensuality |
Culture critic Simon Webb says,
“Fennell is not paying homage to previous adaptations—she is creating a Wuthering Heights that belongs unmistakably to her.”
Recent Updates
- August 2025: Test screenings draw mixed reactions, sparking early debate.
- September 2025: Fennell responds publicly to criticisms at the Brontë Women’s Writing Festival.
- Late 2025: Trailer reveals stylized visuals and sensual imagery.
- January 2026: Charli XCX confirms original track for the film.
- February 13, 2026: Official theatrical release.
In an official Warner Bros. press statement, the studio noted,
“Emerald Fennell brings a fearless vision to this timeless story. Her adaptation embraces the novel’s emotional extremes while reinventing the cinematic landscape.”
Why It Matters?
1. A Reinvention of Classic Literature for Modern Audiences
Fennell’s adaptation taps into themes of class, identity, and destructive passion, reframing them with emotional and visual boldness.
2. Major Milestone for Both Lead Actors
Robbie dives into one of literature’s darkest romantic roles, while Elordi cements his status as a rising dramatic force.
3. A Shift in Period Drama Storytelling
By introducing surreal elements, expressive costuming, and a modern soundtrack, the film challenges what period cinema can be.
4. Unflinching, Raw Emotional Storytelling
According to Fennell in an official festival appearance, she explained,
“There’s so much sado-masochism, obsession, and pain in this book—people forget how shocking it really is. I wanted to honor that shock.”
Film historian Marco Ellis concludes,
“This movie will divide viewers, but groundbreaking films always do.”
FAQs
February 13, 2026.
Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff.
It preserves the core plot but includes new stylistic and emotional interpretations.
Emerald Fennell, known for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn.
Bold visuals, erotic tones, and shocking test-screening scenes have stirred debate.
Yes—Charli XCX created an original song, Chains of Love.
