Trailer for Wuthering Heights starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi are embroiled in a bad romance in this bold new adaptation of Emily Bronte’s classic novel Wuthering Heights.
The new Wuthering Heights movie has not yet been released in theaters. But that doesn’t stop some people from already having strong opinions about it.
According to news outlets about the film (including USA TODAY), this is nothing like the Wuthering Heights you read in high school. this is sexy “Wuthering Heights”. It’s like…really, really sexy. “Wuthering Heights” but did I mention it’s sexy?
That was essentially the tone of much of the hype surrounding the R-rated movie, which opens Friday. The Los Angeles Times described the film as a “daring, raunchy fantasy.” Britain’s GQ praised it, calling it “hot and disgusting.” And the film’s stars, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, didn’t hesitate to poke fun at the film’s steamy moments in interviews, either.
But not everyone is thrilled with the sexy Wuthering Heights, with some online criticizing the adaptation as “overly sexed” and not faithful to the original novel. On the other hand, many said they were excited about this “desire-worthy” iteration of classic literature.
Sex and psychology experts say the mixed reactions to Wuthering Heights speak to something much bigger than the movie: our culture’s vastly different and often contradictory attitudes toward sex.
“Sexuality is no longer neutral; it’s politicized,” says Vanessa Cushing, a licensed professional counselor and certified sex therapist. “When a campaign like this comes out, it becomes a flashpoint, not just about the movie, but about the larger anxieties surrounding sexuality in our time.”
‘Wuthering Heights’ and why some people can’t get enough of sexy media
Wuthering Heights isn’t the only sexy piece of media that’s made headlines in recent weeks.
The shows “Heat Rivalry” and “Tell Me Lies” have both become pop culture flashpoints, and both are filled with sex, body parts, and intense, forbidden romance.
Experts previously told USA TODAY that it’s natural to seek out such stories, especially among Gen Z. Studies show that this generation, born between 1997 and 2012, has less sex than previous generations.
For viewers who don’t have sex themselves but still crave validation and connection, mediums like “Heated Rivalry,” “Tell Me Rise,” and, yes, the new “Wuthering Heights” may fill the void. It can also offer a sense of control you don’t get with real-life dating, especially among ghosting, constant swiping on apps, and other harmful trends.
“They have an outlet to express and connect with their sexual desires and needs and questions in a way that appeals to them without having to actually go out and talk to people or go on dates,” Virginia Gramarosso, a health educator who works with middle school, high school and young adults, previously told Gen Z USA TODAY.
Still, she added: “Observing relationships and watching these events unfold cannot replace experiencing, living, and creating relationships themselves.”
‘Wuthering Heights’ and the culture war over sex
But if there’s such a hunger for sexy movies and TV, why is a vocal group online insisting “enough is enough”?
Well, when it comes to “Wuthering Heights,” it depends. Some of these critics are probably just sticking to Emily Bronte’s original novel and don’t want an adaptation that deviates too much from the original. You may also want to take a break from movies and television being oversaturated with sexy romance content.
But for some, their criticism may stem from something brewing even deeper in the zeitgeist: the rise of cultural conservatism.
Sheila Addison, a certified marriage and family therapist, says we live in a time when “very regressive, religiously conservative, gender-stereotyped views about sexuality are becoming mainstream.” “In this atmosphere, it’s natural that people would want to publicly shame themselves for a movie that’s touted to have a lot of sexual themes,” she added.
It’s worth asking whether people are, says Leora Tannenbaum, author of Sexy Selfie Nation: Stand Up for Yourself in Today’s Toxic, Sexist Culture. actually Maybe you’re tired of sexy stories, or maybe you just don’t want to see women’s pleasure and autonomy shine in the spotlight.
“No one complains when sex sells perfume or cars, but when it’s shown that a woman wants something for herself, suddenly people become scandalized,” says Tannenbaum. “That contradiction is the real story here. Sex on screen, depicting women as complete and equal-seeking women, remains surprisingly refreshing.”
The important thing to remember, Cushing says, is that social media is not the real world and is rarely a place where thoughtful and nuanced discussions take place. The mixed reactions to Wuthering Heights demonstrate how entrenched our views on sex are, especially in an online ecosystem that tends to foster division rather than understanding.
“What we’re seeing is not just disagreements about movies,” Cushing said. “We are watching in real time a global society negotiating the meaning of sex, art, and identity within a system designed to amplify reactions rather than reflections.”
Contributor: Rachel Hale
