In the realm of tragic love stories, Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights has long stood alongside Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet as a pinnacle of romantic despair. Yet, it appears this somber conclusion has eluded an entire generation, as evidenced by the tearful reactions flooding social media following the release of the latest big-screen adaptation.
A New Generation Discovers Classic Tragedy
The film, which premiered in cinemas yesterday, features Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the iconic roles of Cathy and Heathcliff. Directed by Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell, this interpretation promises a fresh take on the 1847 Gothic novel. However, the emotional impact on younger viewers has been particularly striking.
Social media platforms, especially TikTok, have become inundated with videos of predominantly young women weeping as the final credits rolled. Many expressed genuine surprise at the story's outcome, despite the novel's century-long presence in school curricula and numerous previous adaptations.
Unprepared Audiences Voice Their Distress
One viral TikTok video captured a friend sobbing in the darkened cinema, accompanied by the caption: 'I fully thought Wuthering Heights had a happy ending. I really thought I was just gonna watch Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi make out for two hours.'
Another emotional viewer recorded herself declaring: 'We are crashing out. I don't know how to go back to real life. Also, it's a sad ending if anyone else didn't know.' This collective shock has prompted warnings from Gen Z fans to prospective viewers: 'Do not see Wuthering Heights without knowing the plot.'
Director's Vision and Critical Reception
Emerald Fennell, whose directorial debut Promising Young Woman earned her an Academy Award, has openly encouraged such visceral reactions. In an interview with Time Out prior to the film's launch, the 40-year-old British director stated: 'I want lots of snogging [in the cinema]. I think whatever you can get away with – sorry, Cineworld. There will be some of that, there will also be a lot of people having to be carried out because they're crying so much.'
Fennell emphasized her desire for audiences to experience strong emotional connections, saying: 'I really love seeing movies where people have a visceral experience. I think screaming and laughing and crying and gasping, we want a connected experience.'
A Loose and Eroticized Interpretation
The director has been transparent about her approach, describing the adaptation as a loose interpretation that 'files' the classic novel down to its 'pretty and sexy bits.' This artistic choice has divided critics sharply.
Some reviewers have labeled Fennell's version an 'emotionally hollow, bodice-ripping misfire' that would have Bronte 'rolling in her grave.' Others have praised the film as 'swoonily romantic,' appreciating its modern sensibilities and passionate portrayal.
Cultural Disconnect and Lasting Impact
The phenomenon highlights a curious cultural disconnect, where a literary masterpiece known for generations for its tragic conclusion suddenly surprises new audiences. While the novel's plot twists are hardly secret—having been studied in classrooms and adapted across various media for decades—this fresh cinematic presentation has reintroduced the story's emotional power to a demographic unfamiliar with its darker themes.
As the film continues its theatrical run, it remains to be seen whether this wave of emotional reactions will translate into broader cultural discussion about classic literature's place in contemporary entertainment. What is certain is that Fennell's adaptation has successfully provoked the intense, connected experience she envisioned, even if it comes at the cost of some viewers' expectations for a happier resolution.
