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- Primary Subject: Content guide for Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights (2026)
- Key Update: Following its world premiere on January 28, the film officially hits US and UK theaters on February 13, 2026, just in time for Valentine's Day weekend.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 11, 2026
- Quick Answer: Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights is rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, and violence, marking a significant departure from the original novel's lack of physical intimacy.
As if Emerald Fennell's take on Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights wasn't enough to drive fans of the original novel mad, the film adaptation came out this week and led viewers to believe that there may be possible racy sex scenes included, as well. Here's what actually unraveled on the big screens.
WARNING: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Wuthering Heights, so proceed with caution.
Does Wuthering Heights Have Sex Scenes? Why the Adaptation is Rated R
The growing relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff in the original novel was filled with more tension than physical intimacy, so much so that Jacob Elordi (who plays the male lead) believes that Fennell's directional choice stemmed from the "depravity and love and obsession."
Elordi also noted in his interview with USA Today: "They're all in the language of what Brontë was driving at with this book, so it was never really a shock or a reach."
In a different interview, Margot Robbie (Cathy) seemed to laugh off the mixed reaction and said that their version of the adaptation was "Horny from the off" and that "The first scene, I think, really sets the tone for the film."
While there are zero racy sex scenes in the Wuthering Heights novel, the adaptation had a more immersive simulation of the thorny ecstasy of young love. Hence, the trailer and the film received an R-Rating in the first place.
In the same interview, Emerald added that the sex scenes were not included for provocative reasons but rather to depict a stronger connection to the audience, "Things that are sexy often take us by surprise. Maybe some people would argue otherwise, but I'm not interested in anything being explicit. I'm interested in making people feel."
Why Did Emerald Fennell Choose an R Rating for Wuthering Heights?
Since 1968, an R rating has always meant that viewers must be 17 and older or accompanied by someone of age before they are allowed to purchase tickets and watch the film on the big screens. Now, after the promise that Wuthering Heights served in the film's theatrical release, Fennell also unveiled the reason why she decided on an R rating for her adaptation.
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"Well, I think to be honest, when it comes to ratings, I always find it a little bit baffling because I don't think—it's much more of a romance than I think people are expecting," the Saltburn helmer told CinemaBlend.
Fennell also believes that a lot of teenagers would seek this movie, especially given the upcoming Valentine's Day, but reassures them that romance only scratches the surface of the film: "And I think you just have to make the movie that you want to make that feels right to you and then, not worry too much about things like ratings."
It is worth mentioning that other factors for the rating include slight nudity for the suggestive movements and sounds, self-harm and physical abuse, and strong violent language such as "f***ing," "a**hole," and "b*tch."
Meanwhile, fans can now watch Wuthering Heights in cinemas.
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