Critics are expressing skepticism about the casting of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Robbie and Elordi, recognized for their roles in Barbie and Saltburn, will portray Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff respectively in director Emerald Fennell’s reimagining of the classic Emily Brontë novel. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, the casting choice has drawn mixed reactions from fans of the story.
Independent film critic Clarisse Loughrey questioned whether the team behind the film fully understood the source material, highlighting that Catherine is a teenager in the book while Heathcliff is described as “dark-skinned” in the 1847 novel. TV and film critic Gavia Baker-Whitelaw remarked on the casting decisions, suggesting the characters appear more suited to social media than the classic narrative.
Critiques have also been levelled at Fennell’s apparent disregard for the novel’s deeper themes, with Collider editor Maggie Boccella stating that the adaptation seems to prioritize commercial appeal over substance. Fennell, who previously won an Oscar for Promising Young Woman, and achieved success with Saltburn, has been criticized for her approach in this latest project. Robbie, who is currently pregnant, has produced both of Fennell’s prior films, but Wuthering Heights will mark the first feature in which she acts alongside the director. Reports indicate that filming is set to begin in the UK next year.