Classic Story, Modern Controversy

Dayton Milley, Staff Writer • April 6, 2026

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On February 13, the highly anticipated adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic moody and dark Gothic romance set in the blustery hills of northern England, “Wuthering Heights,” burst into theaters. This movie was loosely based on the 1847 novel, but the director, Emerald Fennell, aimed to “recreate the feeling of a teenage girl reading the book for the first time”. The movie starred well-known actors Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

This is the 5th movie adapted from the original book, and it received mixed reviews from viewers. One of the main controversies from the general public regarding this movie was the casting for the character Heathcliff. He was originally written as a person of color in the book. Jacob Elordi was cast as Heathcliff, sparking widespread criticism for the whitewashing of the original character. Another criticism the movie faced was the age gap between the two main characters, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. In the book, the main character, Catherine, is around 18 or 19, and she is played by 35-year-old Margot Robbie. Heathcliff is 38-39 years old, and Elordi is 28. Tatum Takata, a sophomore, reinforces viewers’ opinion that the age gap is too large and states, “It was really good, but the plot was very predictable. The cast was good, but it was weird how Jacob Elordi was so much younger than Margot Robbie.”

Most other reviews of this movie are positive, and it has grossed over $192 million at the box office since its February 13, 2026, release. It is an extremely emotional film that explores themes of jealousy, longing, and star-crossed lovers. Sophomore Eleri Mayer shares her thoughts on the target audience of the movie, stating, “Some of the concepts may not be for everyone. It’s an acquired taste depending on the person. I think it’s really a girl’s movie, and guys wouldn’t like it”. Overall, this movie was definitely a positive modern addition to the series of Wuthering Heights adaptations. If you enjoy tragic love stories, a dark, gloomy atmosphere, and movies that comment on social class and status, make sure not to skip this one.

About the Contributor

Dayton Milley, Staff Writer

Dayton Milley is a sophomore and a first year journalism student. She wanted to join journalism because writing has always been something she has enjoyed since a young age. She is excited to research the school stories and create reports on them for students to read. She is especially excited to document school sport events and be able to watch our student athletes play. Outside of school her hobbies include riding horses, reading, and going to the beach. One goal Dayton has for journalism is to become a stronger writer and also strengthen her conversation skills through interviewing people at school. She hopes to improve her ability to think of follow up questions and uncover thoughtful answers from the people she interviews. She is overall excited to be a reporter for Hi-Tide and to learn deeper about our school’s events.