The new “Wuthering Heights“ movie starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi has finally arrived in theaters, and audiences are already talking about a potential sequel. Director Emerald Fennell’s bold adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic 1847 novel ends in a way that leaves room for questions about what comes next. But for those hoping to see more of this specific version of the tortured lovers, there is disappointing news.
Since its release on February 13, 2026, the film has sparked conversations about its ending, its unique visual style, and whether Fennell plans to continue the story. Here is everything you need to know about the possibility of a “Wuthering Heights 2” and why the director made the choices she did.
Director Emerald Fennell Shuts Down Sequel Speculation
When asked directly about the chances of a sequel, Emerald Fennell gave a clear and honest answer. In an interview with USA TODAY, she stated plainly, “I think of this as a one-off, and I’m not alone in that when you look at other adaptations.”
The director further explained her reasoning, saying, “There’s a world where this is a miniseries and you really get into deep, deep detail of every single thing that happens. But for me, the thing I connected to as a reader was always (Catherine and Heathcliff). I also don’t know if I’d be very good at sequels!”
Fennell also shared her thoughts in a lighter moment with ScreenRant, joking, “Oh my God. Can you imagine Wuthering Heights 2? More Heights, more Wuthering.” But her humor underscores a serious point: this adaptation was always meant to be a personal interpretation, not a complete retelling of the entire novel.
Why the Movie Cannot Have a Direct Sequel
The biggest obstacle to a sequel is a major change Fennell made to the story. In Emily Brontë’s original book, Catherine Earnshaw (Robbie) dies shortly after giving birth to a daughter, also named Cathy. This second generation of characters—including Heathcliff’s son Linton and Catherine’s nephew Hareton—drive the second half of the novel.
But in Fennell’s version, Catherine never gives birth. The film ends with her dying from sepsis after what appears to be a miscarriage. She bleeds out in her bed, and Heathcliff (Elordi) arrives too late, holding her body as memories of their romance flash across the screen.
Because the younger Cathy does not exist in this version, the entire second half of Brontë’s plot becomes impossible to adapt as a direct continuation. Any sequel would have to invent an entirely new story focusing on Heathcliff’s grief and madness rather than the redemption arc Brontë wrote for the next generation.
What Happens in the Second Half of the Book
For those unfamiliar with the original novel, the second half of “Wuthering Heights” follows the children of the main characters. After Catherine’s death, her daughter Cathy grows up at Thrushcross Grange. Meanwhile, Heathcliff has married Edgar Linton’s sister Isabella, and they have a sickly son named Linton.
Heathcliff, driven by revenge, forces Cathy to marry Linton, securing ownership of both estates. But Linton dies soon after, leaving Cathy a young widow. She eventually finds love with Hareton, Hindley Earnshaw’s son, whom Heathcliff raised and abused. The novel ends with Cathy and Hareton planning their marriage, bringing peace back to the moors.
Fennell removed all of this material, including the character of Hindley entirely. This makes the future happy union between Cathy and Hareton impossible in her cinematic universe.
Fennell’s Vision: An Adaptation of Feeling, Not a Literal Retelling
Throughout the press tour, Fennell has been open about her approach to the material. She does not see her film as a faithful, page-by-page adaptation. Instead, she wanted to capture the emotional experience of reading the book for the first time.
In a foreword she wrote for a special edition of the novel released in February 2026, Fennell explained, “It is too slippery, too wild, too good to distill into two hours of film. Instead what I have attempted to do is adapt my own experience of reading it for the first time. It is an adaptation of a feeling: my first disemboweling by the baby god.”
She also told the BBC, “I wanted to make something that made me feel like I felt when I first read it, which means that it’s an emotional response to something. It’s, like, primal, sexual.”
This explains why the film feels so different from traditional period dramas. With its bold costumes, unsettling atmosphere, and focus on raw passion, Fennell created what some critics have called a “smutty fan fiction fever dream” inspired by her teenage experience of the novel.
Fan Theories and Online Reactions
The film’s unique style has led to some creative theories from viewers. One popular theory on Reddit suggests that the movie might be set in a dollhouse. Fans point to the giant props, like an oversized strawberry, and the dollhouse shot in the trailer as evidence. One user wrote, “My theory is the framing device is that it is being acted out by dolls/in a dollhouse.” Another joked, “So the sequel to Barbie? Sign me up.”
Another theory proposes that Fennell wasn’t adapting Brontë’s novel directly, but rather Kate Bush’s 1978 song “Wuthering Heights.” One fan explained, “It’s the vibe of the music video with Kate Bush dancing in the red dress on the moors, but expanded into an entire film.”
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Cast and Release Information
“Wuthering Heights” features a strong cast including:
- Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw
- Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff
- Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton
- Hong Chau as Nelly Dean
- Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton
- Owen Cooper as young Heathcliff
The film is produced by Fennell, Josey McNamara, and Robbie under the LuckyChap Entertainment banner, along with MRC. It was shot by cinematographer Linus Sandgren and features a score by Anthony Willis, with original music from Charli xcx.
“Wuthering Heights” was released in theaters on February 13, 2026 by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is currently screening in cinemas across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India. As of now, there is no announced date for streaming or digital release. The film carries an IMDb rating of 6.3/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 65% .
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