Stirring controversy: The provocative 'Wuthering Heights' trailer leaves audiences astounded
The trailer for Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel, "Wuthering Heights," has caused quite a stir. Scheduled to release on Valentine's Day 2026, the film features Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, and Owen Cooper in the lead roles.
However, the trailer has been met with backlash, being perceived as "soft porn" by some. It showcases a steamy affair with sexual tension, revealing costumes, and suggestive scenes, which some users fear may replace the literary romance with a more steamy and coded depiction.
The report from World Of Reel details scenes such as a public hanging that descends into grotesque absurdity, a woman being strapped into a horse's reins for a BDSM-tinged encounter, and several masturbation scenes, fueling concerns about the need for gratuitous sex scenes in cinema.
There are also concerns about the casting of Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff and Margot Robbie as Catherine, as they do not match the descriptions in the book. Previous adaptations of "Wuthering Heights" have featured white actors playing Heathcliff, including Laurence Olivier, Timothy Dalton, and Ralph Fiennes. Some argue that the backlash against the trailer could be due to problematic whitewashing.
The debate also raises questions about whether cinemagoers are increasingly discerning, attuned to the fact that selling movies through sexually charged buzz and the promise of explicitness may prove cheap and reveal studios desperate for hype.
Emerald Fennell, director of the upcoming adaptation, is known for her work in Promising Young Woman and Saltburn. The music for the film will include original songs by Charli XCX. Some argue that the film may equate desire with sex and tick zeitgeist boxes, leading to concern among some viewers.
The controversy surrounding the film has not been all negative, with some praising Fennell's unique take on the classic novel. However, the overtly erotic tone of the trailer has sparked a heated discussion on social media, with some criticizing the departure from the original material.
A test screening for the film last month produced mixed reactions and raised eyebrows due to graphic sexual scenes. As the release date approaches, it will be interesting to see how the film is received by audiences and critics alike.
