Wuthering Heights Adaptation Sparks Controversy Over Casting, Tone

Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, has sparked significant controversy following the release of its trailer. Critics and fans have taken issue with the casting choices, particularly Elordi's portrayal of Heathcliff, who is described in the novel as a "dark-skinned gypsy" or racially ambiguous, while Elordi is white. Additionally, Robbie's age, 35, has been criticized since Catherine is depicted as a teenager in the book. The film's stylized, sensual tone and modern elements, such as Robbie wearing rose-colored sunglasses, have led some viewers to describe the adaptation as more of an erotic drama or "softcore porn" rather than a faithful Gothic romance. The casting director defended the choices by stating there is "no need to be accurate" since "it's just a book," which further fueled backlash. Fans on social media have expressed that the film seems to whitewash and sanitize key themes of race, class, and youth from the original novel, leading to widespread disappointment and anger among the audience.