Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” Streams on HBO Max Amid Controversy and Box-Office Success

Emerald Fennell’s R-rated adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel will arrive on HBO Max on May 1, with a linear HBO premiere on May 2 at 8 p.m. ET. An ASL version, performed by Leila Hanaumi and Giovanni Maucere and directed by Justin Jackerson, streams the same day, marking HBO Max’s first romance title offered in ASL with two dubbers.

Variety Magazine

The film follows Fennell’s provocative hit “Saltburn.” It stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, with supporting roles for Shazad Latif, Martin Clunes, Hong Chau and Ewan Mitchell. Robbie executive-produced “Promising Young Woman” and “Saltburn,” while Elordi, an Oscar nominee for supporting actor in “Frankenstein,” also appears in “Euphoria” season 3.

Variety Magazine

The film opened theatrically on February 13, and entered digital VOD on March 31. With a production budget of $80 million, box-office totals differ: Variety reports $241 million worldwide (?$84 million domestic, $157 million international), while CBR cites $236 million. Both exceed the budget, making the release profitable for Warner Bros.

Variety Magazine

Reviews are mixed. Variety called the adaptation “a carnal reinvention,” highlighting heightened erotic tension. Rotten Tomatoes shows a 57 % critics’ score versus a 76 % audience rating on Popcornmeter. ScreenRant gave four out of ten stars, noting visual flair but narrative shallowness.

Margot Robbie’s Divisive New Romantic Novel Adaptation Sets HBO Max Streaming Release Date

Casting sparked debate. Critics noted Robbie’s age (35) exceeds Catherine’s canonical 18, and Elordi’s Heathcliff, originally described as dark-skinned Romani, appears as a white character. ScreenRant called this a “first error” in adapting a novel about racial violence. Marketing the film as a “steamy rom-com” also clashed with the source’s portrayal of a toxic relationship.

Margot Robbie’s Divisive New Romantic Novel Adaptation Sets HBO Max Streaming Release Date

Warner Bros. announced, “‘Wuthering Heights’ will debut on HBO Max on May 1, followed by an HBO linear premiere on May 2 at 8 p.m. ET.” HBO Max added, “The ASL version, performed by Leila Hanaumi and Giovanni Maucere and directed by Justin Jackerson, marks the first romance title on HBO Max with two dubbers.”

Variety Magazine

• “a carnal reinvention,” — Variety review

Variety Magazine

• “They write: Casting a white lead in an adaptation of a novel that is, predominantly, about racial violence, is only the film's first error.” — Gregory Nussen, ScreenRant

Margot Robbie’s Divisive New Romantic Novel Adaptation Sets HBO Max Streaming Release Date

• “Despite some moments of wondrous physical beauty — or, perhaps, because of them — Wuthering Heights is flavorless, skin-deep and oddly staid.” — ScreenRant conclusion

Margot Robbie’s Divisive New Romantic Novel Adaptation Sets HBO Max Streaming Release Date

• “It marks the first romance title available to stream in ASL on HBO Max with two dubbers.” — Variety article

Variety Magazine

Box-office totals differ: Variety cites $241 million worldwide, while CBR reports $236 million. No source confirms the exact figure. Critical framing also varies, with Variety praising the erotic reinvention and ScreenRant emphasizing narrative shortcomings.

Margot Robbie’s Divisive New Romantic Novel Adaptation Sets HBO Max Streaming Release Date

Robbie is slated for an upcoming Ocean’s prequel opposite Bradley Cooper. Elordi returns as Nate in “Euphoria” season 3 and will appear in Ridley Scott’s “The Dog Stars” on August 28. Fennell’s next directorial project remains unannounced.

Margot Robbie’s Divisive New Romantic Novel Adaptation Sets HBO Max Streaming Release Date