Jacob Elordi’s Controversial Adaptation Of 179-Year-Old Novel Is An Instant Streaming Sensation

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Jacob Elordi’s controversial movie is defying the odds.

Jacob Elordi first became well-known for his roles in the Netflix film The Kissing Booth and the HBO series Euphoria. He’s since moved on to more prominent film work, receiving an Academy Award nomination for his performance in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and a BAFTA nomination for Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennell.

Jacob Elordi, who previously worked with Fennell, played Heathcliff in a new and often debated adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights. The film, which also stars Margot Robbie, offers a sensual take on the story. Despite mixed reactions when it first came out in theaters, it quickly became the most-watched movie on HBO Max in over 50 countries, including the United States – a result that surprised many.

Fennell’s new film offers a fresh take on Wuthering Heights, focusing on the intense and complicated love story between Heathcliff (played by Elordi) and Catherine Earnshaw (played by Robbie). Catherine is torn between a secure life of wealth and status, and following her heart. The film also stars Owen Cooper, Alison Oliver, Shazad Latif, Ewan Mitchell, Hong Chau, and Martin Clunes.

Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights caused a scandal when it was first published in 1847 under the name Ellis Bell. Readers at the time were shocked by its portrayal of flawed characters, violence, abusive relationships, and its questioning of Victorian social norms. Despite the initial controversy, the novel is now recognized as a groundbreaking and important work of literature.

The new 2026 film version of Wuthering Heights has received mixed reactions. Some criticism focuses on the casting of Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, as he doesn’t conform to the traditional portrayal of the character. Another major point of contention is the film’s heavy emphasis on eroticism and its depiction of abusive relationships, which some viewers found problematic and inappropriately presented as consensual. While critics gave the film a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences generally liked it more, giving it a 76% rating.

Fennell’s film adaptation of Wuthering Heights has been a major financial success, earning over $241 million globally on an $80 million budget. Despite initial concerns about the casting, Jacob Elordi has received positive reviews for his performance. Elordi remains busy, currently appearing in the final season of Euphoria as Nate Jacobs. He’s also joined the cast of Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars, where he will star alongside Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Margaret Qualley, and Benedict Wong.

Wuthering Heights is available to stream on HBO Max.

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2026-05-03 19:02