Emerald Fennell’s bold reimagining of “Wuthering Heights” will begin streaming on HBO Max from May 1, with the HBO linear television premiere set for May 2 at 8 p.m. ET, the platform said on Friday.
Directed by Fennell, known for “Promising Young Woman” and “Saltburn,” the R-rated adaptation stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in a darker, more explicit retelling of Emily Brontë’s 19th-century novel.
The film places heightened focus on psychological tension and eroticism between the central characters, set against the windswept Yorkshire moors. Industry reviews have described the tone as a “carnal reinvention,” emphasizing desire, power struggles and revenge.
The supporting cast includes Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton, Martin Clunes as Mr Earnshaw, Hong Chau as housekeeper Nelly, and Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton.
Robbie, who previously worked with Fennell as an executive producer on “Promising Young Woman” and “Saltburn,” takes her first leading role in one of the director’s projects. Elordi’s performance arrives during a busy period for the actor, who appears in the latest season of “Euphoria” and recently received an Oscar nomination for “Frankenstein.”
The film has grossed $241 million worldwide against an $80 million production budget, reflecting strong commercial performance despite mixed critical reception. Some critics praised Fennell’s provocative interpretation, while others questioned its tonal direction.
HBO Max will also release an American Sign Language version of the film, performed by Leila Hanaumi and Giovanni Maucere and directed by Justin Jackerson. It marks the platform’s first romance title available in ASL with dual interpreters.
The streaming debut is expected to renew audience interest in the adaptation as it reaches a wider home-viewing audience.