Wuthering Heights' Dark Opening Explained By Emerald Fennell

Wuthering Heights' Tone-Setting Opening Has A Deeper Meaning, Explains Emerald Fennell

Emerald Fennell poses on the Wuthering Heights red carpetCredit: Cover Images

By Betty Robertson Published Feb 14, 2026, 11:02 PM EST Betty Robertson is a Contributor at ScreenRant. She's new to Entertainment Journalism, starting her career with it in 2026. Prior to joining Valnet, she was a full time Writer and Narrative Designers for Games like Assassin's Creed, Alien: Rogue Incursion, Lovelink, and Poppy Playtime. Jennifer loves TV, especially science fiction. She also loves late-night talk shows, due to her insomnia. Alien: Earth is definitely one of her favorite shows, and she jumps on any chance she gets to write about it. Even on her days off, she will claim an Alien Earth article if one is available. She is an award-winning screenwriter, a member of BAFTA, and a contributor to UBC's Game Writing Program. When she's not writing she's playing sports (soccer, softball, basketball, and pickleball), watching travel shows, or walking her dog, Banana. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Add Us On Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Despite being a commercial success, Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights was dubbed controversial and divided audiences.

The film's opening shocked viewers. Wuthering Heights began with a man being hanged, and those present are paying more attention to an involuntary physical response. While the image was disturbing, it was included for a reason, and it wasn't intended to be used as shock value. Fennel explained to USA Today:

With the first moments of a film, you need to set the tone and say what it is. This is a deeply felt romance. But I also wanted people to understand that it would be surprising and darkly funny and perhaps stranger than they would expect. It was important to acknowledge early on that arousal and danger are kind of the same thing – that is what the Gothic is, and it was important that the first thing we see is Cathy, this young girl, seemingly frightened but then actually delighted. It tells us so much about who she is, but so much about Brontë, too. We have this idea that the world of period dramas was fragrant and beautiful and pastel and lovely. It wasn't at all. It was a dangerous place to live in, so it was crucial for me to show that right at the beginning.

Jacob Elordie and Margot Robbie embrace in Wuthering HeightsEverett Collection

Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi portrayed Cathy and Heathcliff in the new adaptation. However, fans of Brontë's classic Gothic novel weren't happy with the film's casting decisions. They also took issue with how the movie strayed from the book. Fennell defended the changes that were made and explained why she wanted to focus on the romance at the center of the story, instead of the themes of familial trauma, grief, and revenge.

All I could do was make a movie that made me feel the way the book made me feel, and therefore it just felt right to say it’s Wuthering Heights, and it isn’t.

Despite the critiques, or maybe because of them, Wuthering Heights has been a hit. Its opening weekend dominated the box office, and it is currently tied with the 1939 film for the highest score (85%) of an adaptation of the novel on Rotten Tomatoes.

Heathcliff and Catherine walking in a hall in Wuthering Heights

Fennell is no stranger to shocking audiences. The infamous "bathtub scene" from 2023's Saltburn stunned audiences and critics alike. The titillating moment was an omen of things to come for Wuthering Heights. Saltburn, also starring Elordi, tells a story of psychosexual obsession, lies, and possession.

While viewers were curious about Fennell's adaptation of Brontë's novel, many were concerned about the artistic license taken after the first trailer dropped. Along with the opening of the film being changed, the ending was as well.

The open ending left many wondering if a sequel was in the works, perhaps covering more of the material left out of the 2026 film. Wuthering Heights, written in 1847 by Emily Brontë under her pen name, Ellis Bell, covers the struggles of class, race, and sex in the moors of 1840's Yorkshire.

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Fennell's adaptation has leaned into her dark sensibilities and twisted sense of humor, evoking comparison to Robert Eggers' Nosferatu. Both tackle modern adaptations of Gothic material with modern twists and disturbing performances.

Wuthering Heights is currently playing in theaters worldwide.

8.0/10

Wuthering Heights

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed R Drama Romance Release Date February 13, 2026 Runtime 136 Minutes Director Emerald Fennell Writers Emerald Fennell, Emily Brontë Producers Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Emerald Fennell, Josey McNamara