Trailer for New Wuthering Heights Adaptation Leaves Fans Divided

Like any classic novel, Wuthering Heights has seen its fair share of adaptations over the years. From early silent film renditions to a classic BBC TV adaptation, there is no shortage of opportunities to see Wuthering Heights on screen. But readers agree, there has yet to be a particularly solid adaptation that truly captures the essence of Emily Brontë’s novel. And next year, a new film starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi will throw its hat into the ring, or should I say, onto the moors.

In large part, Wuthering Heights adaptations fail for the same reason the novel had no business being Bella Swan’s favorite. It is frequently misunderstood as a sweeping romance, when in fact it’s far more a combination of light horror and social commentary. And the first trailer for “Wuthering Heights” (2026) has fans concerned, even Margot Robbie can’t right these wrongs.

Wuthering Heights Movie Trailer Looks to Deliver a Bodice Ripper Rendition of Brontë’s Novel

The trailer for “Wuthering Heights” arrived on September 3rd, and it has set the bookish internet ablaze with discourse ever since. This early look at the upcoming adaptation offers more vibes than anything else, with long lingering glances and the tightening of actual bodice strings. It shows off Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in character, and readers don’t quite know how to feel.

The trailer doesn’t really go into plot. Of course, it doesn’t need to. Wuthering Heights is a story many former lit majors like myself know by heart, whether reluctantly or not. But the vibes-forward look has led to some seriously divided feelings among readers. Some are more than here to see this duo star in a tension-ridden rendition of the classic novel.

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Others are disappointed, if not outright offended, by the trailer’s portrayal of Brontë’s work. Some readers are calling it downright disrespectful to the source material, citing the fact that Wuthering Heights is not a gothic romance. It’s a tragedy, one steeped in commentary about generational trauma, revenge, class, and racial discrimination.

While we don’t know for sure that the latest adaptation is erasing these elements, the trailer certainly paints quite a different picture from what you might expect given the source material. And it’s pretty clear that Heathcliffe has, once again, been cast as a white man despite being canonically a POC in the book.

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If the film adaptation does paint Wuthering Heights as a love story, it’s certainly not the first time we’ve had that misunderstanding. In Twilight, Bella’s obsession with the novel led many teenagers (myself included) to pick it up expecting an epic love story. What we found was a concerning and bitter portrayal of two people determined to torture each other. Though I have since grown to appreciate what the novel is trying to do, misrepresenting it as a romance is only going to disappoint those who head to the source material expecting more of the same.

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The Valentine’s Day release day is another concerning detail that many readers have picked up on. However, I have to wonder if this is all a bit tongue-in-cheek. The film title, as officially presented in the trailer and marketing materials, is “Wuthering Heights.” With quotation marks. As if perhaps the movie itself knows it’s playing with the source material rather than adapting it seriously, is this, perhaps, the Northanger Abbey of Wuthering Heights adaptations, poised to toy with how we’ve all misunderstood the novel in popular conceptions? A former lit major can only hope so.

At this point, it’s clear that the Wuthering Heights trailer has got people talking. The movie itself will arrive on February 14th, 2026, giving us all a chance to see what this latest adaptation does with the story of Wuthering Heights.

Looking for more book news? Check out our reaction to the appropriately steamy new set photos from the upcoming adaptation of Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation.

About the Author

Amanda Kay Oaks

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Amanda Kay Oaks is a writer, book witch, and video game enthusiast based in Latrobe, PA. She writes about books, games, and more from an office packed with crystals and Pokemon plushies. When not engrossed in work or fictional worlds, Amanda can be found in the kitchen, on her yoga mat, or walking her dog, Azula.

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