Some literary adaptations arrive with a polite knock. Others kick the door off its hinges, track mud across the Persian rug, and dare you to complain about the mess. Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights is firmly in the latter camp. After a theatrical run that left critics and audiences sharply divided, the film has officially made its streaming debut on HBO Max, just in time for May 2026's biggest streaming movies.
Starring Margot Robbie as Cathy Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, this adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel leans hard into obsession, jealousy, class warfare, and desire. The cast also includes Hong Chau as Nelly, Shazad Latif as Edgar, and Alison Oliver as Isabella. Fennell, known for her provocative style in Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, brings a feverish gothic energy to the moors—making every foggy landscape feel like it needs a chaperone.
A Box Office Success with a Split Reception
Financially, the film performed well, grossing around $240 million worldwide against an $80 million budget. But critical reception has been anything but unanimous. On Rotten Tomatoes, the critics' consensus reads: "Liberally adapting Emily Brontë's classic story with a heavy dose of carnality and chic stylization, Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights might not be the stuff of high literature, but it is a visually vibrant pleasure."
However, not everyone is charmed. Collider's review called the film "a glossy, deeply misguided rewrite" that strips away the novel's core power. It argued that Fennell guts the story by removing major characters, flattening the generational trauma, and turning a brutal Gothic revenge tale into a shallow, over-romanticized fantasy. The review concluded that all the visual beauty cannot hide how hollow the adaptation feels.
Why This Adaptation Sparks Debate
Fennell's version adapts only the first half of Brontë's novel, focusing on the raw, destructive romance between Cathy and Heathcliff. Some viewers appreciate the bold, stylized approach, while others feel it misses the point of the original. This divide is reminiscent of other polarizing films like Timothée Chalamet's divisive A24 epic Marty Supreme, which also found a second life on streaming after a contentious theatrical release.
For those who missed it in theaters—or who want to see what all the fuss is about—Wuthering Heights is now available to stream on HBO Max. Whether you'll love it or hate it, one thing is certain: it's a conversation starter.
