That Wuthering Heights viral fan theory wasn’t true – instead it was a missed opportunity

by

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the long-awaited film Wuthering Heights is now playing in theaters. However, whether it’s a good choice for a romantic outing is just one of the criticisms being directed at Emerald Fennell’s take on Emily Brontë’s famous story.

The new movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights has sparked a lot of criticism. Fans have been upset since the initial announcement in September 2024 about the casting of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, and many feel the film is far more explicit than Emily Brontë’s original novel.

One intriguing discussion surrounding the movie has been the odd use of quotation marks around the title, first spotted in the teaser trailer. A popular fan theory, originating from Film Sis, suggests these marks indicate Margot Robbie isn’t playing Catherine Earnshaw directly, but rather a modern character who is fantasizing about being in the world of Wuthering Heights.

What to Read Next

She might simply be someone who also longs for something more, like we do, and uses fantasy and daydreaming – perhaps imagining a romantic figure similar to Heathcliff – to cope with everyday life,” she said. “This could explain why the outfits aren’t historically accurate and why the overall atmosphere feels surprisingly sensual.

Okay, so I finally played Wuthering Heights, and honestly, all that hype about it being some clever, layered game? Totally wrong. It’s just… a really steamy retelling of the book, focusing almost entirely on the intense, passionate relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. There’s no hidden meaning or anything, just a lot of romance and longing.

But if you knew about the fan theory, you might have wished it was actually true.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting a movie to be something it wasn’t meant to be, and that usually leads to disappointment. Emerald Fennell’s version of Wuthering Heights might not appeal to everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. But whether you enjoy it or not, it’s undeniably her unique interpretation.

I was so fascinated to hear the director talk about her vision for the movie! She said it all started with how she felt when she first read the book at 14. It’s amazing because she really wanted to capture not just the story, but her experience of reading it – even the parts she thought were in the book but weren’t! She explained she wanted to bring those childhood feelings to life on screen, and explore what it would have been like to actually live out those teenage dreams, both the good and the slightly messy parts.

The choices of Margot Robbie as Catherine – a character who’s a teenager in the novel – and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, described as having dark skin in the book, were also intentional. Fennell simply cast the actors she envisioned while recalling how the story felt when she first read it at age fourteen.

The casting choices might feel a little strange, especially when compared to how the younger Catherine and Heathcliff were cast. However, Fennell’s approach isn’t really any different from what most directors do when choosing actors for a role.

This explains why the title was presented with quotation marks. In January 2026, Fennell clarified that her work wasn’t a direct adaptation of Wuthering Heights, but rather a reimagining. She described it as a version influenced by her memories of the book and her desire to explore different events – a version that felt both familiar and new. Essentially, it was inspired by Wuthering Heights but wasn’t a faithful reproduction.

It’s easy to understand why the idea of Margot Robbie’s character simply imagining the events as a version of Wuthering Heights was appealing. That approach could have addressed concerns that the movie strayed too far from the original Brontë story, but ultimately, that theory doesn’t quite fit.

The film could have explored a more profound idea: how difficult it is to remake a well-loved story when everyone already has their own personal connection to it. Despite any dramatic moments, the adaptation of Wuthering Heights might ultimately feel surprisingly tame.

While the new movie has a unique style, it’s not nearly as shocking as Emerald Fennell’s previous films. Compared to the surprising twist in Promising Young Woman or the extreme scenes in Saltburn, this one feels tame. Nothing that Catherine and Heathcliff do comes close to the shocking acts, like Oliver Quick’s behavior with Felix’s grave or bathwater, in Saltburn.

If the rumored reveal had happened, it could have sparked more interesting conversations than just debating the show’s tone or the accuracy of the costumes compared to Wuthering Heights.

Emerald Fennell’s take on Wuthering Heights wasn’t meant to be a radical reimagining, and that’s perfectly acceptable. However, it’s still fun to consider if a bolder, more unique adaptation might have been a worthwhile path to explore.

Wuthering Heights is out now in cinemas.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a vibrant, full-color 100-page tribute to Taylor Swift, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online for only £8.99.

Read More

2026-02-14 10:20