Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, who star as Cathy and Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, shared how deeply affected they were by the tragic ending of the film. The story unfolds around the characters’ intense and doomed relationship, focusing on the heartbreak following Cathy’s choice to end her secret affair with Heathcliff. Their performances bring to life a pivotal, emotionally charged conclusion that differs notably from previous versions of the classic novel.
Cathy’s Breakdown and Its Consequences
After the split, Cathy, who is pregnant, suffers a severe mental and physical collapse, leading to the loss of her child with Edgar Linton, played by Shazad Latif. This plot point marks a significant departure from the original book. Nelly, Cathy’s maid portrayed by Hong Chau, initially dismisses the severity of Cathy’s condition as exaggerated, only realizing the true extent of her illness too late to intervene effectively.
Robbie, who also acted as a producer on the film, spoke about the portrayal of Cathy’s deteriorating state.
“There’s quite a few moments of Cathy hallucinating, and she hallucinates seeing young Heathcliff in the garden,”
she said.
“I really liked all that stuff, because it was a pretty big section of the book, too. Where Cathy’s sick, and she’s going to die, and she’s hallucinating, and she starts collecting all the bird feathers and going kind of crazy. So I liked that there was that section.”
Memorable Hallucinations and Heartbreaking Moments
One hallucination in particular had a lasting effect on Robbie. She recalled,
“What breaks my heart is when I was sitting on the bed, and little Heathcliff put his hand around Cathy’s ankle,”
adding,
“And it’s reminiscent of the early shot in the movie when they’re kids. Like that, honestly, almost makes me cry even [now].”
Jacob Elordi described the scene as “devastating,” a sentiment Robbie echoed, exclaiming,
“The little hand holding her ankle!”
This poignant moment symbolizes the enduring bond between the characters across time and illness.
Cathy’s Death and Heathcliff’s Grief
In the film, Cathy ultimately succumbs to sepsis, with Heathcliff unaware of her illness until after she passes. Their final encounter is filled with anguish, as Heathcliff clings to Cathy’s body, begging her to haunt him forever. Robbie described the scene as “gut-wrenching,” capturing the raw intensity of Heathcliff’s loss.
The Enduring Connection Beyond Death
Elordi emphasized the lasting nature of Heathcliff’s love for Cathy even after her death. He explained,
“I think the book, the sort of love that it’s talking about, exists outside of life and death,”
adding,
“I think in playing those sequences, any scene where I’m with Cathy — for Heathcliff — is real, whether it’s spiritual or physical. It doesn’t really alter the intention of how you play [the moment], because in some world, their spirits are together afterward.”
He further noted,
“The book, obviously, continues on, but [the film] kind of leaves it open that their souls are, for me, sort of forever intertwined when you get to see them in that liminal space together.”
This interpretation highlights a central theme of the story: the idea that the characters’ connection transcends physical existence and endures beyond death.
