the heat behind wuthering heights: margot robbie and jacob elordi's valentine spectacle
Sydney, zaterdag, 14 februari 2026.
The Sydney premiere of Wuthering Heights sparked frenzy, not just for the film but for the off-screen sparks between Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. On Valentine’s Day, Elordi sent Robbie a bouquet of red roses—signed “heathcliff”—fueling intense speculation. The duo spoke of a ‘mutual obsession’ in interviews, exchanged matching signet rings engraved with Emily Brontë’s words, and gushed publicly about one another. Yet Robbie is married, and insiders suggest the romance may be a calculated PR move to boost a film facing criticism for its explicit scenes and Elordi’s controversial casting as the dark, brooding Heathcliff. Fans remain divided, calling the act either brilliant marketing or deeply uncomfortable. The line between performance and reality has never been blurrier.
the heat behind wuthering heights: margot robbie and jacob elordi’s valentine spectacle
The Sydney premiere of Wuthering Heights sparked frenzy, not just for the film but for the off-screen sparks between Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. On Valentine’s Day, Elordi sent Robbie a bouquet of red roses—signed “heathcliff”—fueling intense speculation [1]. The duo spoke of a ‘mutual obsession’ in interviews [1]. They exchanged matching signet rings engraved with Emily Brontë’s words [1]. Robbie is married to Tom Ackerley, who also produced the film [1]. Insiders question whether the chemistry is genuine or a strategic PR move amid mixed reviews and casting backlash [1][2].
casting controversies and creative liberties
Jacob Elordi’s casting as Heathcliff drew criticism for deviating from the novel’s description of the character as ethnically ambiguous and ‘dark’ [2]. Previous adaptations experimented with authenticity, including a 2011 version featuring Black British actor James Howson [2]. Director Emerald Fennell defended creative freedom, stating the film is a “loose translation” of the novel [2]. Her vision emphasizes emotional intensity over fidelity [3]. Critics argue the adaptation prioritizes sensuality and modern aesthetics, incorporating a pop soundtrack by Charli XCX [3][4]. The film opens with a provocative hanging scene, signaling its bold reinterpretation [4].
public reaction and promotional strategy
Fan responses to Robbie and Elordi’s interactions range from fascination to discomfort [1]. Some describe their behavior as “weird and tacky” or triggering “the ick” [1]. Others recognize it as effective promotion ahead of Valentine’s Day releases [1]. Comparisons emerge to past campaigns like A Star is Born and Anyone But You, where on-set romances boosted visibility [1]. PR expert Amy Brookbanks suggests the current rollout lacks subtlety compared to previous efforts [1]. Content creator Amelia Buxton speculates the aggressive narrative aims to offset lukewarm critical reception [1]. Despite skepticism, audiences express intent to watch, drawn by timing and star power [1].
artistic vision versus literary roots
Emerald Fennell positions her film as a personal homage rooted in teenage impressions of the novel [4]. She preserved much of Emily Brontë’s original dialogue while radically altering tone and context [3]. Scenes blend raw emotion with stylized visuals, drawing influence from both gothic drama and contemporary erotic thrillers [4]. However, critics note significant departures, including omitting the second-generation storyline and transforming Heathcliff from a vengeful antihero into a romantic figure [4]. The film replaces period-specific nuance with overt sexuality and melodrama [5]. While visually striking, reviewers question whether it honors the novel’s exploration of class, trauma, and obsession [5].