If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you might have noticed a specific aesthetic: flickering candles, old libraries, messy ink stains, and a lot of talk about "problematic" men. This is "Dark Academia" and "Dark Romance," and Wuthering Heights is their Roman Empire.

For the uninitiated, the story follows Heathcliff and Catherine, two people who are essentially soulmates but also terrible for each other. They spend the entire book ruining their own lives and the lives of everyone around them out of spite, grief, and revenge.

It’s not a "romance" in the way The Selection is. It’s a ghost story about how generational trauma and obsession can turn people into monsters. But in 2026, teens are less interested in the "lesson" and more interested in the vibe.

You might hear your teen describe Heathcliff as "feral" or "low-key a menace," or maybe they’ll say the whole plot is "so Ohio" (meaning weird, chaotic, or cursed).

The draw here is the intensity. In a world of curated Instagram feeds and "soft girl" aesthetics, the raw, unhinged toxicity of Catherine and Heathcliff feels like a rebellion. BookTok has rebranded these characters as the ultimate "Enemies to Lovers" (or "Enemies to Eternal Torment") trope.

There’s also the Emerald Fennell Factor. The 2026 film adaptation—directed by the woman who gave us Saltburn—has turned this classic into an R-rated, stylized fever dream. It’s leaning heavily into the "Dark Romance" tag, which means your teen is seeing edits of the movie set to Lana Del Rey songs before they’ve even finished Chapter 1.

Ask our chatbot about why 'Dark Romance' is trending with Gen Z

If your kid wants to dive into the moors, here’s how to navigate the different versions and "vibes" associated with the trend.

The OG Text | Ages 14+ The book itself is a masterpiece, but it’s dark. We’re talking animal cruelty (implied), domestic abuse, and people literally digging up graves. It’s a tough read for a middle schooler, not just because of the themes, but because the 19th-century Yorkshire dialect is a total slog. For high schoolers, it’s a great exercise in identifying "unreliable narrators."

The New Release | Ages 17+ Parents, be warned: this isn't the black-and-white movie your grandma liked. Following the trend of "prestige" R-rated dramas, this version is sexually explicit and visually violent. It’s designed to shock. If your 14-year-old is asking to see it because "it’s for school," they are definitely lying to you.

The "Better" Alternative | Ages 13+ Written by Emily’s sister, Charlotte, this is often the better entry point for younger teens. It still has the "Gothic" vibe—creepy houses, secrets in the attic, a broody love interest—but Jane is a much more relatable and principled protagonist than Catherine Earnshaw.

The Palate Cleanser | All Ages If the gloom of the moors is getting to be too much, suggest a digital reset. While it seems unrelated, the character Shane in Stardew Valley actually hits a lot of those "troubled, broody" notes that teens like in Heathcliff, but in a way that involves chickens and berry picking instead of eternal damnation.

Middle School (Ages 11-13): They might see the TikTok edits, but the actual book will likely bore them to tears. If they want the aesthetic, point them toward A Series of Unfortunate Events or Wednesday (Netflix). They get the "dark" without the "adult."

High School (Ages 14-18): This is the prime demographic. They are old enough to handle the themes of the book, but they might need a "reality check" on the romance. This is a great age to discuss why we find "toxic" characters interesting in fiction but should avoid them in real life.

Check out our guide on helping teens navigate "Dark Romance" tropes

The biggest concern with the Wuthering Heights revival isn't the reading level—it’s the romanticization of abuse.

In the "Dark Romance" corner of the internet, Heathcliff’s controlling and vengeful behavior is often framed as "intense love." As parents, we know that if a guy shows up at your window after ten years and starts screaming at your ghost, that’s a restraining order, not a "vibe."

How to talk about it without being a "Karen":

Wuthering Heights is a classic for a reason—it’s a haunting, brilliantly written look at the darkest parts of the human heart. If your teen is reading it, honestly? Win. They’re engaging with complex literature.

However, the 2026 film and the surrounding TikTok culture are amping up the "sexy toxicity" to an 11. Keep the conversation open, watch the R-rated trailers with them so you can roll your eyes at the absurdity together, and maybe keep a copy of Jane Eyre on the coffee table as a backup.

Learn more about the 'Dark Academia' trend and what it means for your teen