Controversial

According to Looper, Wuthering Heights is one of the '8 Most Controversial Movies Of 2026 (So Far)'.

Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" book was first published in 1847, yet it was still making waves nearly 180 years later by way of a new film adaptation from writer and director Emerald Fennell. Much of that conversation stemmed from discourse over the casting of Heathcliff, who was played by Jacob Elordi (previously the star of Fennell's 2023 feature "Saltburn"). The decidedly Caucasian Australian was not who many people had in mind for the role, considering Heathcliff is described in the text as "dark-skinned" and receives many racially motivated insults that heavily suggest he's a person of color.

To boot, Heathcliff being non-white factors heavily into the larger themes (namely class) that defines Brontë's seminal text. These elements all played a role in Heathcliff's whitewashing dominating the pre-release conversation cycle for "Wuthering Heights." Once the film was finally released, further controversy erupted over the drastic liberties Fennell had taken in adapting this project for the big screen.

Even the casting of Hong Chau and Shazad Latif in key supporting roles (albeit ones that didn't really comment on or thoughtfully use their racial identities) lent new critical angles to the previous whitewashing controversy. "Wuthering Heights" was a movie plagued by tremendous discourse, though that didn't stop it from grossing $241.6 million worldwide. (Lisa Laman)

Derbyshire Times recommends several places 'across Derbyshire and the Peak District if you’re looking to reconnect with nature this spring'.

6. Hathersage

Hathersage has strong literary connections - having inspired Charlotte Brontë while she was writing Jane Eyre [not exactly]. The nearby North Lees Hall (pictured here) also became the main inspiration for Thornfield Hall. (Tom Hardwick)