Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi have ignited a wildfire of excitement and speculation in the lead-up to Emerald Fennell’s bold new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, set to hit theaters on February 13, 2026—just in time for Valentine’s Day. Their electric on-screen chemistry as Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff has fans dissecting every trailer frame, press interview, and red-carpet glance, turning what should be pure promotional buzz into something far more intoxicating—and controversial.
The film, stylized with quotation marks as “Wuthering Heights,” promises a provocative, modern reimagining of Emily BrontĂ«’s 1847 gothic masterpiece. Directed and written by the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, it stars Robbie as the wild, passionate Cathy and Elordi as the brooding, vengeful Heathcliff. Supporting roles feature Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, and Ewan Mitchell, with the production backed by Warner Bros., MRC, and Robbie’s own LuckyChap Entertainment. Early reviews describe it as raw, indulgent, sensual, and divisive—praising the leads’ sizzling performances while questioning its departures from the source material.
But the real frenzy isn’t just about the movie. It’s about the palpable tension between Robbie and Elordi that spills off the screen and into headlines. Whispers of an intense off-screen bond have fueled rumors, with some outlets suggesting the spotlight on their connection is striking a nerve at home—particularly for Robbie’s husband, producer Tom Ackerley. Is this all masterful movie hype, or is something more complicated simmering beneath the surface?
The Casting That Shook the Literary World
When casting news broke in September 2024, reactions were immediate and polarized. Robbie, at 35, stepped into the role of Catherine Earnshaw—a character who begins as a fiery teenager in BrontĂ«’s novel—while Elordi, 28, took on Heathcliff, described in the book as a “dark-skinned gypsy” orphan with ambiguous racial origins. Critics and fans decried Robbie as “too old” for the youthful Cathy and Elordi as “too white” for Heathcliff’s complex heritage, sparking debates about authenticity in literary adaptations.
Robbie defended the choices passionately. In interviews, she emphasized that Fennell’s vision aged up the characters to capture the epic, decades-spanning scope of their destructive love. “I saw him play Heathcliff, and he is Heathcliff,” she told outlets, urging skeptics to “wait and see.” Elordi, fresh off roles in Euphoria and Saltburn, brought his signature intensity—those piercing eyes, towering frame, and brooding charisma—to the part. Director Fennell explained her decisions as embracing multiple interpretations of the classic: “There are so many different takes.”
The trailer, released late 2025, only amplified the intrigue. Sweeping shots of windswept Yorkshire moors give way to feverish close-ups: Robbie’s Cathy, wild-haired and defiant, locking eyes with Elordi’s Heathcliff in moments of raw longing. Their bodies press together in rain-soaked embraces, lips crashing in scenes that feel more erotic than gothic. Charli XCX’s original soundtrack pulses underneath, adding a contemporary edge to the timeless torment. One clip shows Heathcliff lurking in shadows, watching Cathy with obsessive hunger; another captures their forbidden passion turning intoxicatingly destructive.
First reactions from critics are split. The Hollywood Reporter calls it “lush” and “ecstatic,” with Robbie and Elordi setting “hearts and loins aquiver.” Others, like The Guardian, label it a “bodice-ripping misfire”—emotionally hollow, overly sexed-up, and greedy in its indulgence. Rotten Tomatoes aggregates praise the leads’ chemistry as “sizzling” and “captivating,” even as purists lament omitted characters (like Hindley Earnshaw) and altered tones. Box office projections eye a massive $70M+ global opening, positioning it as a Valentine’s weekend powerhouse.
Chemistry That Bleeds Off-Screen
What truly sets social media ablaze is the duo’s dynamic beyond the script. Press tour appearances have been electric: joint interviews where they finish each other’s sentences, laugh at inside jokes, and gaze at one another with unmistakable warmth. Robbie has described becoming “codependent” during filming, admitting she felt “unnerved and unmoored” on days without Elordi on set. Elordi reciprocates, calling their bond a “mutual obsession” and praising Robbie as “exceptionally easy to work with.”
Anecdotes from production add fuel. Director Fennell reportedly created “shrines” of each actor in the other’s dressing room—photos, mementos, personal items—to intensify their connection. On Valentine’s Day during filming, Elordi surprised Robbie’s trailer with roses, a gesture she recalled with a smile: “I remember thinking, oh he’s probably a very good boyfriend, ’cause there’s a lot of thoughtfulness in this.” In a Vogue Australia feature, intimate photos show them physically close, bodies angled toward each other, eyes locked. Elordi told the magazine, “I really love her. I really didn’t want to let her down.”
These moments, while promotional gold for a film about obsessive love, have sparked speculation. Tabloids and social media threads dissect body language: lingering touches on red carpets, matching energy in interviews, even subtle glances when the other speaks. Some fans celebrate it as method acting at its finest; others whisper about blurred lines.
The Shadow at Home: Tom Ackerley in the Spotlight
Amid the frenzy stands Tom Ackerley, Robbie’s husband since 2016 and co-founder of LuckyChap Entertainment. The couple welcomed their first child in late 2024, adding a layer of personal stakes to the public narrative. Ackerley, a producer who prefers staying behind the camera, has been involved in the film as an executive producer.
Insiders claim the constant spotlight on Robbie and Elordi’s “chemistry” has made things uncomfortable. Reports suggest Ackerley “understands the business” but finds the personal speculation grating. One source described the situation as potentially “toxic,” with friends warning him about the intensity. Body language experts have analyzed photos of the couple at premieres, noting subtle tension in Ackerley’s expressions amid the glamour.
Robbie has addressed the rumors indirectly, emphasizing professionalism and the demands of promoting a steamy romance. In one interview, she joked about watching the film “unhinged” with girlfriends, cocktails in hand—framing it as escapist fun. Yet the narrative persists: Is the flirtatious press strategy manufactured hype, or does it hint at real complications? Ackerley has remained silent publicly, but sources say he insists it’s “just business.”
This tension mirrors the film’s themes—love as destructive force, obsession blurring into possession. BrontĂ«’s novel explores passion that consumes everything: class, family, sanity. Fennell’s adaptation amplifies the sensuality, adding explicit scenes and modern flair, making the on-screen romance feel dangerously real.
Why It Matters—and Why We Can’t Look Away
In an era of reboots and reimaginings, “Wuthering Heights” stands out for its audacity. Fennell doesn’t merely adapt; she provokes. By casting global stars like Robbie and Elordi, she invites scrutiny—of fidelity to the text, of cultural representation, of personal boundaries in Hollywood. The frenzy ahead of release proves her gamble is paying off: tickets are selling, debates rage online, and anticipation builds to fever pitch.
Whether the chemistry is pure performance or something deeper, it has transformed a classic tale into 2026’s must-see event. Robbie and Elordi don’t just play Cathy and Heathcliff—they embody the storm. Their connection, real or manufactured, echoes the novel’s core question: Can love that intense ever be contained?
As theaters prepare for Valentine’s weekend crowds, one thing is clear: the ground is shifting. The moors may be windswept and wild, but the real tempest is in the spotlight. Fans will watch, speculate, and perhaps cry so hard they vomit—just as Fennell intended. In the end, isn’t that the power of a great love story? It leaves you breathless, unsettled, and utterly unable to look away.