TL;DR: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is a staple of high school English, but the new 2026 film adaptation from Emerald Fennell—starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi—is a completely different beast. It’s stylized, provocative, and definitely R-rated. If your teen is obsessed with the "Dark Academia" aesthetic or thinks Heathcliff is "goals," it’s time for a chat about the difference between epic romance and a toxic downward spiral.
If it’s been a minute since you sat through 11th-grade English, here’s the refresher: Wuthering Heights is Emily Brontë’s only novel, published in 1847. It follows the intense, obsessive, and ultimately destructive relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff.
Contrary to the "romance" label it often gets, the book is actually a Gothic revenge tragedy. There are no heroes here. Everyone is pretty much miserable, and they spend two generations making sure everyone else is miserable, too. It’s moody, it’s rainy, and there are ghosts. It’s basically the original "emo" literature.
You might be wondering why a 180-year-old book is suddenly all over your teen’s feed. It’s a perfect storm of three things:
- The "Dark Academia" Aesthetic: Teens today are obsessed with the vibe of old libraries, tweed blazers, and "intellectual" angst. Wuthering Heights is the crown jewel of this subculture.
- The Jacob Elordi Effect: Let’s be real. Casting the guy from Euphoria and Saltburn as Heathcliff was a move designed to set the internet on fire. He’s the current "internet boyfriend," even when he’s playing terrifyingly toxic characters.
- The "Toxic Romance" Fascination: From Twilight to Colleen Hoover books, there’s a recurring trend of romanticizing "red flag" behavior. Heathcliff is the OG red flag. Teens love dissecting whether he’s a "misunderstood soul" or just a villain (spoiler: he’s a villain).
Emerald Fennell (who gave us Saltburn and Promising Young Woman) does not make "safe" movies. Her version of the moors isn't just foggy; it’s visceral.
- The Vibe: Gloomy, complex, and deeply psychological.
- The Content: It’s actually quite violent (animal cruelty, domestic abuse) but the language is elevated, which can act as a "filter" for younger readers who might find the prose too dense to get through.
- Age Range: 14+ (mostly due to the difficulty of the reading level).
- The Vibe: Neon-Gothic, highly sexualized, and intentionally provocative.
- The Content: Expect the R-rating to be earned. Fennell focuses on the "obsession" part of the book, which means plenty of nudity, intense psychological manipulation, and stylized violence. It’s less "period piece" and more "psychological thriller in corsets."
- Age Range: 17+ (or mature 16-year-olds with a parent who can handle some awkward post-movie questions).
If your teen wants the story but isn't ready for the 2026 "Saltburn-on-the-Moors" version, there are plenty of other ways to consume this story:
- Wuthering Heights (2009 Miniseries): This version stars Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley. It’s arguably the most "romantic" version while still keeping the grit. Great for ages 14+.
- Wuthering Heights (2011 Movie): Directed by Andrea Arnold. This one is very experimental, almost no music, very "nature-focused." It’s a bit of a slow burn but very artistic.
- Wuthering Heights (1939 Movie): The Laurence Olivier classic. It only covers the first half of the book and turns it into a standard Hollywood romance. It’s "safe," but it misses the point of the book entirely.
Middle School (Ages 11-13)
They might see the movie posters or TikTok edits of Jacob Elordi. The book is likely too heavy for them to enjoy, and the 2026 movie is a hard no. If they really want the "vibe," maybe point them toward Enola Holmes or The Secret Garden for a softer entry into British period drama.
High School (Ages 14-18)
This is the target demographic for both the curriculum and the hype.
- The Book: Encourage it! It’s great for critical thinking.
- The 2026 Movie: If they’re under 17, check the specific triggers. Emerald Fennell likes to make the audience uncomfortable. It’s not "brain rot," but it’s definitely "mature content."
Whether it’s the book or the film, Wuthering Heights deals with some heavy stuff that parents should be aware of:
- Domestic Abuse: Heathcliff is physically and emotionally abusive to his wife, Isabella, and his daughter-in-law.
- Animal Cruelty: There’s a notorious scene in the book involving a dog that is often omitted in movies but might be present in the 2026 version.
- Toxic Obsession: The "love" between Cathy and Heathcliff is not something to emulate. They are both selfish and destructive.
- Mental Health: Themes of depression, mourning, and "madness" are central.
Check out our guide on discussing toxic relationships in media
If your teen comes home talking about how Heathcliff is "so Ohio" (which I think means weird/bad in 2024 but who knows by now in 2026) or, conversely, how he’s a "misunderstood king," here are some conversation starters:
- "Why do you think Cathy says 'I am Heathcliff'?" (It’s about losing your identity in someone else—is that actually romantic or just scary?)
- "Does Heathcliff’s childhood justify how he treats people as an adult?" (A great way to talk about the cycle of trauma.)
- "What’s the difference between passion and obsession?" (The 2026 movie leans hard into obsession; use it as a contrast to healthy relationship boundaries.)
- "Why do you think the director chose to make this version so explicit compared to the book?" (Discussing artistic choices helps teens become more critical media consumers.)
Wuthering Heights is a masterpiece, but it’s a dark one. The 2026 movie is going to be a massive cultural moment for Gen Z and Gen Alpha teens.
Don't ban it—that just makes it "forbidden fruit." Instead, lean into the drama. If they want to see the movie, maybe make a deal: read the book (or watch a more faithful adaptation like the 2009 miniseries) first so they have the context to see the 2026 film for what it is: a provocative, modern take on a story about how not to love someone.
- Read together: Grab a copy of the Penguin Classics edition and see if you can get through the first few chapters together.
- Watch the trailer: Watch the 2026 movie trailer with your teen and ask what they think the "vibe" is.
- Screenwise Survey: If you're worried about the types of "Dark Academia" content your teen is consuming, take our family digital habits survey to get a better handle on their media diet.