Acclaimed Director Discusses Bringing 'Wuthering Heights' to Life as Film Hits #1 at Box Office

Emerald Fennel shares her vision for adapting the classic love story and the challenges of making a 'visceral' film.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The new film adaptation of Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights' has hit number one at the box office, and director Emerald Fennel sat down with entertainment reporter Alex Miranda to discuss her approach to bringing the tragic love story to the screen. Fennel spoke about wanting to create a 'visceral' reaction in viewers by pushing the story to its limits, while also ensuring the choice between the two romantic leads, played by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, felt like a legitimate dilemma.

Why it matters

Wuthering Heights is a beloved literary classic, and Fennel's adaptation marks the latest attempt to translate the story to the big screen. As a self-proclaimed 'fanatic' of the original novel, Fennel was tasked with honoring the source material while also putting her own unique stamp on the material. Her comments provide insight into the creative process behind adapting a cherished work for a modern audience.

The details

In the interview, Fennel discussed several key creative decisions, such as making the Linton family enormously wealthy to heighten the stakes of the central love triangle. She also spoke about wanting to elicit strong emotional reactions from viewers, saying she aimed to make them 'horny and crying and troubled' by pushing the story to its 'squeaking point.' Fennel's goal was to craft an adaptation that would spark debate and discussion among audiences.

  • The new film adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights' hit number one at the box office this past weekend.

The players

Emerald Fennel

The acclaimed director of the new film adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights.'

Margot Robbie

The actress who plays the role of Catherine in the film.

Jacob Elordi

The actor who portrays the character of Heathcliff in the film.

Shahzad Latif

The actor who plays the role of Edgar in the film.

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What they’re saying

“I love Miami. Versace Mansion, gorgeous people, sunshine.”

— Emerald Fennel, Director (wsvn.com)

“Every day we're just thinking, 'How do we make this choice hard?' Which is why the Lintons, in this version, are enormously wealthy. It's that Kathy's not just being offered security. She's being offered a different life with somebody deeply gorgeous and loving. That's a really important part of this. Like. Yeah, what do you choose?”

— Emerald Fennel, Director (wsvn.com)

“It was Emily Bronte, but it was also always pushing something to see where it squeaks. You want to be at squeaking point with everything. So if you press too hard, it explodes and it's useless. And if you don't push too hard, nothing happens. Because I want people to go to the theaters and I want them to be horny and crying and troubled, and I want them to talk about it afterwards, argue about it afterwards. I want a visceral reaction because Wuthering Heights is a visceral story.”

— Emerald Fennel, Director (wsvn.com)

What’s next

The film is expected to continue its strong box office performance in the coming weeks as word-of-mouth spreads about Fennel's bold vision for the classic love story.

The takeaway

Emerald Fennel's adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights' demonstrates the creative potential of revisiting beloved literary works through a modern cinematic lens. By embracing the story's inherent drama and emotion, Fennel has crafted a film that aims to provoke a visceral reaction from audiences, sparking discussion and debate around the timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and the human condition.