Emerald Fennell’s new film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic gothic romance, “Wuthering Heights,” offers a bold and original take on the passionate, yet tumultuous relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff. The recently released trailer gives audiences a glimpse into the star-crossed lovers’ childhood meeting, their growing conflicts, and the intoxicating but destructive love that defines their story.
Set against a moody and emotional backdrop with a new soundtrack including Charli XCX’s song “Chains of Love,” the trailer portrays Cathy (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) navigating their complex feelings amid harsh social divides. Cathy asks Heathcliff what he would do if he were rich, to which he replies with a cynical view of wealth and power. Cathy’s confession that she must marry the wealthy Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif) to maintain her social standing devastates Heathcliff, whose ensuing obsession with revenge sets the stage for the drama. The trailer culminates with Heathcliff daring Cathy to kiss him and defy fate: “So kiss me, and let us both be damned.”
Fennell, known for her work on “Promising Young Woman” and “Saltburn,” has written, directed, and produced this adaptation, imbuing the story with a wild, strange, and sexy energy. The cast also includes Hong Chau as Nelly Dean and Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton, with Owen Cooper and Charlotte Mellington portraying the younger versions of Cathy and Heathcliff respectively. Warner Bros. Pictures plans to release “Wuthering Heights” in U.S. theaters on February 13, 2026, with an international release starting February 11.
While the film is promoted as one of the greatest love stories, some commentary notes that the central characters are far from perfect—they are deeply flawed, selfish, and even cruel at times. This complexity forms the core of the novel’s darker tone, where their fierce, forbidden love also exacerbates their worst traits. Fans familiar with Brontë’s original tale will recognize the multi-dimensional nature of Cathy and Heathcliff’s personalities, which Fennell’s film appears poised to explore without shying away from their intensity and moral ambiguity.
Alongside the trailer, Charli XCX has released a track inspired by the film and offers a full album set to evoke the emotional landscape of this new adaptation. This fresh interpretation promises a vivid fusion of lust, love, and madness that reimagines “Wuthering Heights” for contemporary audiences.
