Margot Robbie described feeling 'weak at the knees' during a scene in Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights, where she stars opposite Jacob Elordi. The film, a provocative yet romantic take on Emily Brontë's classic, surprised Robbie with its emphasis on epic romance over raunchiness. Robbie returned to work just three months after giving birth, embracing a more instinctive approach to her role.
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi portray Catherine 'Cathy' Earnshaw and Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights, a story known for its intense passions. The cast also includes Hong Chau from The Menu, Ewan Mitchell of House of the Dragon, and Owen Cooper from Adolescence. While the trailer hinted at a departure from the novel's direct retelling, Fennell described her vision as a 'primal, sexual' emotional response.
As both star and producer, Robbie told British Vogue that expectations of an X-rated film might mislead viewers. 'Everyone's expecting this to be very, very raunchy,' she said. 'I think people will be surprised. Not to say there aren't sexual elements and that it's not provocative – it definitely is provocative – but it's more romantic than provocative. This is a big epic romance.'
One memorable moment involved Elordi lifting Robbie with one arm, an action that left her 'weak at the knees.' She noted that such scenes appeal to women in their 30s, a demographic often underserved by epic romances and period pieces made from a female perspective. On set, Robbie and Fennell explored what felt 'hot or exciting or sexy' to them, addressing a gap in recent cinema. Robbie reflected, 'It's just been so long since we've had one – maybe The Notebook, also The English Patient. You have to go back decades.'
Fennell's style evokes strong physical reactions, as Robbie explained: 'It's that feeling when your chest swells or it's like someone's punched you in the guts and the air leaves your body. That's a signature of Emerald's. Whether it's titillating or repulsion, her superpower is eliciting a physical response.'
Robbie began filming three months after welcoming her son with husband Tom Ackerley in October 2024. Skipping her usual preparation routine, she felt anxious but was reassured by Fennell: 'I don't want you to prepare. I just need you to be in the moment.' This approach helped her focus on being present in her body rather than overthinking. The film arrives in theaters on Valentine's Day.
