The highly anticipated romantic film adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel Wuthering Heights, featuring Australian stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, has opened to a wave of disappointing reviews from international critics. The film, which premieres in Australian cinemas on Thursday, February 12, has been marketed as a modern, sexed-up version of the 1847 literary masterpiece but has failed to deliver the passionate connection audiences expected from its lead actors.
Critics Unimpressed with On-Screen Romance
Despite the considerable hype surrounding the pairing of two of Australia's most popular actors, numerous reviewers have declared that Robbie and Elordi exhibit "zero romantic chemistry" on screen. The Boston Globe was particularly blunt in its assessment, stating: "While strikingly attractive on their own, Elordi and Robbie have zero romantic chemistry." This sentiment has been echoed across multiple publications, with the Daily Beast complaining that "Robbie and Elordi manage merely flickers of chemistry" despite engaging in numerous intimate scenes throughout the film.
Mixed Reception on Review Aggregators
The film currently holds a modest 68 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 136 reviews, indicating a divided critical response. Many reviewers have compared this adaptation to popular romantic dramas like Bridgerton and Fifty Shades of Grey, but found it lacking in emotional depth. Time Out criticised the characters' behaviour, noting: "Cathy and Heathcliff behave abominably – making any moments of intended emotional or erotic impact fall flat." Daily Mail critic Brian Viner added to the criticism, describing the characters as "so irredeemably shallow and selfish that I could not have felt less invested in their emotional tumult."
Some Positive Voices Amid the Criticism
Despite the overwhelming negative feedback regarding the lead actors' chemistry, the film does have its defenders. The Hollywood Reporter offered a contrasting perspective, praising Robbie and Elordi's performances and declaring: "The leads are captivating and their chemistry sizzles." Online magazine Consequence also found merit in the adaptation, noting: "Although 'Wuthering Heights' remains a deliciously horny film, it does summon a certain degree of pure romance, especially in the few moments when its leads are able to see past their misunderstandings and actually connect."
Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics and Personal Challenges
The critical reception comes despite Elordi's public admiration for his co-star, whom he described during a recent interview with Fandango as someone he made sure to keep within "5 to 10 metres at all times" on set. "We have a mutual obsession," Elordi revealed, adding that he was constantly observing Robbie's professional conduct. Meanwhile, Robbie has spoken candidly about the challenges of filming Wuthering Heights just three months after giving birth to her son in October 2024. In an interview with British Vogue, the actress discussed her initial anxiety about returning to work and filming intimate scenes so soon after becoming a mother, though she noted that director Emerald Fennell helped alleviate her concerns.
Robbie also addressed audience expectations regarding the film's sensual content, telling Vogue: "Everyone's expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised." She did acknowledge, however, that some of the more tender moments with Elordi left her feeling "weak at the knees," suggesting a personal connection that may not have fully translated to the screen according to most critics.
