Oscar‑nominated actor Margot Robbie has been speaking candidly about the buzz surrounding her latest film, Wuthering Heights — and she’s not shying away from the controversy. The Barbie star, who also serves as a producer on the project, revealed that one scene in the new adaptation is so bold that some viewers are already comparing it to the infamous bathtub moment in Saltburn — a previous film directed by Wuthering Heights filmmaker Emerald Fennell.
Her comments have only fueled the heated online conversation about the movie’s provocative content and how far the new interpretation of Emily Brontë’s classic goes in portraying its darker themes.
🎬 A Scene That Has Viewers Talking
Wuthering Heights, released in cinemas on 14 February 2026, has already sparked strong reactions online — not just because of its bold visual style, but because of at least one very explicit scene that some audiences say is “more shocking” than the much‑talked‑about bathtub moment from Fennell’s Saltburn.
In Saltburn, a now‑infamous sequence involving a bathtub created waves among viewers for its provocative nature. But according to Robbie and director Emerald Fennell, Wuthering Heights contains a different moment involving a rock that is meant to be just as graphically daring — if not more so.
Fennell alluded to this on the red carpet, saying that while Saltburn had its controversial scenes, Wuthering Heights has “something that happens on a rock,” a line that many interpreted as a tease of what’s to come in the film.
Robbie herself later discussed the film’s creative risk in promotional interviews, acknowledging that the movie was intended to be both emotionally gripping and visually unrestrained, and that she stands by the choices made by the cast and crew.
🎭 Collaborating With Emerald Fennell
Robbie’s willingness to embrace challenging material comes in part from her close creative partnership with director Emerald Fennell, who also directed Saltburn and Promising Young Woman. Fennell’s filmmaking style leans into emotionally raw and sometimes shocking moments that are meant to provoke discussion and reaction.
Robbie, who has produced all of Fennell’s features to date, has explained that their shared focus is on creating experiences that engage audiences, even if they divide critics. She has said that she rarely worries about critical response when making art — her priority is how viewers feel while watching.
That mindset helps explain why Wuthering Heights includes scenes that modernize and intensify the emotional and sexual tension of Emily Brontë’s original story. Rather than simply retelling the classic tale, Fennell’s adaptation rethinks it through a contemporary lens — for better or worse — and Robbie has fully committed to that vision.
🔥 What the Controversial Scene Entails
While Robbie and others have been careful not to spoil exactly what happens during the “rock” scene, audience reactions online — particularly on social media and fan forums — are already animated. Some describe the moment as “intensely raw” and “visually unfiltered,” and others have drawn direct comparisons to Saltburn’s bathtub sequence because of its shock value.
Critics and viewers alike are debating whether this direction represents a bold reinterpretation of Brontë’s gothic themes or an unnecessary escalation of sensual content for shock value. Regardless, it’s clear that the scene is a critical talking point in reviews and online discussions.
📊 The Broader Reaction Around Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights has become one of the most talked‑about films of early 2026, in part due to its unique take on a well‑known literary classic and in part because it’s directed by one of Hollywood’s most divisive contemporary filmmakers. Reviews are mixed, with some critics praising the emotional intensity and others questioning the creative choices made in the adaptation.
The film’s box‑office performance reflects that intense divide: audiences are turning out for the film in large numbers, even as critics offer a more polarising reception. Robotic dialogue about how the film adapts the spiritual and sexual longing of the original source material has also been a recurring theme in reviews.
🗣️ What Margot Robbie Has Said
Instead of shying away from the controversy, Robbie has leaned into the discussion, stating in interviews that she values strong audience reactions — whether positive or critical — because they show that people are engaged, and that the film is resonating on an emotional level. She insists that filmmaking should be about connection, not just technical artistry, and that her collaborative approach with Fennell supports that goal.
Her focus on the audience’s emotional journey reflects a broader creative philosophy. Robbie has said she’s more interested in how viewers experience a scene than in how critics dissect it — a stance that aligns with Fennell’s bold storytelling choices and explains why this new adaptation feels unapologetically intense.
🎥 A New Take on a Classic Story
Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights does not shy away from reimagining Emily Brontë’s novel through a modern and provocative lens. While the original story is known for its bleak romance and gothic despair, this new version amplifies those elements through striking visuals, intense character interactions, and scenes that challenge conventional expectations for literary adaptations.
Robbie’s willingness to speak out about the film’s more controversial moments — including comparisons to Saltburn’s bathtub — reflects her commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and sparking conversation. Whether fans see the result as daring or divisive, there’s no doubt that Wuthering Heights has become one of this year’s most talked‑about films.
🧠 Why This Matters to Viewers
In an age where streaming and social media amplify every cinematic debate, Robbie’s candid discussion about Wuthering Heights helps shape public perception. Her remarks not only address the controversy but also invite audiences to interpret the film on their own terms — as an emotional experience, not just a controversy generator.
By owning both the provocative scenes and the conversation around them, Robbie is reminding the world that movies can be visceral, challenging, and thought‑provoking, all while sparking conversation that goes far beyond the red carpet.