The much-anticipated adaptation of Emily Brontë’s timeless novel, Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell and featuring stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, is set to premiere on HBO Max this week. This follows a successful theatrical release that captivated audiences.
Fennell took on both directing and screenwriting duties for this adaptation of Brontë’s 1847 literary masterpiece. The film, which hit theaters on February 13, transitioned to the digital realm with a premium video on demand release on March 31. Margot Robbie portrays the adult Catherine “Cathy” Earnshaw, who, after being raised alongside the enigmatic Heathcliff, finds herself married to Edgar Linton, played by Shazad Latif.
In a narrative twist, Heathcliff, portrayed by Jacob Elordi, leaves the crumbling Earnshaw estate, heartbroken by Cathy’s marriage. Years later, he returns, now a man of wealth, and reacquires the estate. His reunion with Cathy reignites a passionate and tumultuous affair, leading to unexpected and tragic developments.
While the film navigates through intense and daring themes, Margot Robbie emphasizes that romance remains at its core. In an interview with Vogue U.K. in January, Robbie shared insights into the film’s nuanced portrayal of love.
“People might anticipate something overtly raunchy, but they’ll likely be taken aback,” Robbie revealed to Vogue U.K.. “Though the film contains provocative and sensual moments, it leans heavily into romance. This is a grand, epic love story. It’s been a while since we’ve seen such a film, perhaps not since The Notebook or The English Patient. You really have to look back quite a few years.”
Despite the film’s provocative scenarios, that’s not to say that Wuthering Heights doesn’t have romance, Robbie told Vogue U.K. in a January interview.
“Everyone’s expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised. Not to say there aren’t sexual elements and that it’s not provocative — it definitely is provocative — but it’s more romantic than provocative,” Robbie told Vogue U.K. “This is a big epic romance. It’s just been so long since we’ve had one — maybe The Notebook, also The English Patient. You have to go back decades.”
Warner Bros. Discovery announced recently that Wuthering Heights will debut on SVOD on the HBO Max streaming platform on Friday, May 1. For viewers who don’t subscribe to HBO Max, the platform offers an ad-based package for $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year, or an ad-free package for $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year.
Additionally, HBO Max offers an ad-free package with 4K programming for $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year.
Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie in “Wuthering Heights.”
Warner Bros. Pictures
‘Wuthering Heights’ Was Fueled By A Big Opening Weekend
Scheduled to take advantage of the Valentine’s Day holiday weekend, Wuthering Heights opened on earned and $32 million in its opening three-day frame from 3,682 North American theaters.
By the time Wuthering Heights wrapped up its theatrical run on April 9, it earned $84 million domestically and $157.7 million internationally for a worldwide box office tally of $241.7 million.
Wuthering Heights had a production budget of $80 million before marketing costs.
Featuring the music of Charli xcx and also starring Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes and Ewan Mitchell, Wuthering Heights arrives on HBO Max on Friday.
