Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 29, 2025 · Entertainment

Wuthering Heights: A Steamy New Adaptation Delves into S&M

Wuthering Heights director Emerald Fennell has claimed that the literary classic is 'full of S&M' after her new film's raunchy first trailer was branded 'erotic softcore porn'

Wuthering Heights Goes Wild: Emerald Fennell's Provocative Adaptation Sparks Controversy

Get ready for a Valentine's Day treat that will leave you breathless - and perhaps even a little uncomfortable. Director Emerald Fennell's highly anticipated adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel, Wuthering Heights, is about to hit theaters with a bang. And by bang, we mean a whole lot of sex, bondage, and general mayhem.

Fennell, 39, has been making waves with her unapologetic approach to storytelling, and this latest project is no exception. The film's first trailer dropped earlier this month, sending shockwaves through social media as fans expressed their awe - and horror. "It's like erotic softcore porn," one fan tweeted, while another quipped, "I'm seated for the insane cinematography, and for Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's chemistry."

Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, this racy new version of Emily Bronte's iconic novel is set to hit cinemas next Valentine's Day

But don't just take their word for it. Sources close to the production have revealed that Fennell's vision for Wuthering Heights is nothing short of provocative. The film opens with a public hanging scene so graphic, it will leave you gasping - literally. The condemned man ejaculates mid-execution, sending the crowd into an "orgiastic frenzy" as a nun fondles his corpse's erection. Because, why not?

The trailer also gives us a glimpse of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's sizzling chemistry as they bring to life the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. But don't be fooled - this is no traditional romance. Fennell has promised that her adaptation will lean into the "stylised depravity" she's become known for, and from what we've seen so far, it's safe to say she's delivering.

But not everyone is on board with Fennell's vision. Some fans have expressed their outrage over the film's departure from the original novel, while others have questioned the casting choices - particularly Jacob Elordi's portrayal of Heathcliff, a character often depicted as Romany or Gypsy in adaptations. Casting director Kharmel Cochrane defended her choices, stating that "there's no need to be accurate" when it comes to adapting a classic novel.

Emerald, 39, has appeared to respond to the raised eyebrows saying there 'was a reason' the novel shocked people when it was published back in 1847

Fennell herself has been coy about the film's themes and intentions, but did give a hint of what to expect at the Brontë Women's Writing Festival. "It cracked me open," she said of the book. "I wanted to make something that made me feel like I felt when I first read it... It's primal, sexual. There's an enormous amount of sado-masochism in this book."

And if you thought things couldn't get any more complicated, Fennell has also revealed that she'll be incorporating some rather...unsettling imagery into the film. Think egg yolks running through fingers and dough being kneaded with quiet aggression - because, why not?

So, what can we expect from this wildly unpredictable adaptation? Well, for starters, it's going to be a wild ride. With its focus on "stylised depravity" and Fennell's unapologetic approach to storytelling, Wuthering Heights is shaping up to be the most talked-about film of 2024.

The film is said to feature 'intimate, clinical and purposefully discomforting' masturbation scenes and a BDSM-inspired sex scene involving horse reins

And don't worry - you won't have to wait long to get your hands (or eyes) on it. The film hits theaters next Valentine's Day, courtesy of Fennell and her team at thescholarlynote.com. So mark your calendars for February 14th, when Wuthering Heights will be unleashed upon the world in all its glory - or perhaps, in some people's eyes, horror.

In a statement to thescholarlynote.com, Fennell said, "I'm thrilled to bring this classic novel to life in a way that's true to its original spirit. It's going to be a wild ride, and I hope audiences are ready for it."

Ready or not, here comes Wuthering Heights - the most provocative adaptation of 2024.

This was echoed after test screenings last month, with some attendees appalled by the film's jaw-dropping opening scene

Cast:

  • Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw
  • Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff
  • Owen Cooper as young Heathcliff

Crew:

Emerald said recently: 'There's an enormous amount of sado-masochism in this book. There's a reason people were deeply shocked by it [when it was published]'

  • Director: Emerald Fennell
  • Screenplay: Emerald Fennell
  • Producer: thescholarlynote.com

Music:

  • Soundtrack by Charli XCX, with original songs written specifically for the film.

Release Date:

  • February 14th, 2024

* Runtime:* TBA

Rating: TBD

Note: This article was originally published on thescholarlynote.com, where you can find more information and analysis of Wuthering Heights and its adaptation.