Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi have ignited a heated debate following their latest photoshoot promoting their film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. The intimate images and related interviews surfaced in early 2026, stirring controversy on social media due to the couple’s visible age difference and Elordi’s seemingly detached demeanor during the shoot. Fans raised concerns about the nature of their on-set relationship, intensified by revelations about their closeness while filming.
Unsettling Dynamics Captured in Wuthering Heights Promotional Shoot
The pair appeared together on the cover of Vogue Australia’s February 2026 edition, marking a critical component of the film’s promotional campaign. Directed by Emerald Fennell, the movie stars Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Elordi as Heathcliff, with a theatrical release slated for February 13, 2026, after premiering in Los Angeles on January 28. The press tour spotlighted their on-screen chemistry and off-screen rapport but also prompted discomfort among viewers due to subtle behavioral cues.
During a Fandango interview, Robbie disclosed an intense emotional dependence on Elordi throughout filming, describing herself as feeling “unmoored” and vulnerable when he was absent. This candid admission further fueled online discussions over the actors’ relationship and the authenticity of their connection.
I’m so codependent with people I work with, and I love everyone so much,
she said.
I’m always that person who’s devastated when a job’s over and never wants it to end. I think I developed that quite quickly with Jacob, too.
—Margot Robbie, actress
Social Media Users Express Doubts About On-Set Chemistry and Age Difference
Their shared project and recent photoshoot have been widely dissected, with many internet commentators skeptical about Elordi’s emotional engagement. Some questioned whether genuine chemistry existed, while others speculated on the impact of Robbie’s real-life marriage to Tom Ackerley. The images, which depict close physical contact such as Robbie wrapped around Elordi’s waist in golden lighting, did not convince some viewers.
One individual pointed out,
Their age difference is SO noticeable. She looks like she would be his cool older sister or something… The visual maturity mismatch directly makes the viewer think there would be a mental maturity mismatch too,
—social media user
Additional critiques highlighted a perceived imbalance in confidence and presence, suggesting Robbie dominated the visual narrative while Elordi appeared “lost” or “disassociating.”
I think MR just oozes confidence while JE still looks so… lost and unsure? It looks like she is leading in each photo and he can’t keep up.
—anonymous critic
Yeah he looks like he’s disassociating in all of these photos. She is SERVING but she’s doing all do the heavy lifting.
—social media commenter
I don’t see obsession… No emotion. No vitality. Trying to compensate by showing more skin. Laaaaaame,
—viewer
He doesn’t look young and she doesn’t look old, but he looks inexperienced and she looks confident. To me, it looks like a photoshoot where she’s the star and he’s a prop.
—another viewer
Accusations of a Manufactured Publicity Strategy Similar to Past Celebrity Campaigns
Some commentators compared Robbie and Elordi’s combined promotion efforts to those of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga during the marketing of A Star Is Born, suggesting that the two stars were purposefully fueling speculation around their relationship to boost publicity.
Remember when Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga made a ‘Star is Born’ and they created hype and publicity by hinting that there was a relationship between them. I think it works well and I think it makes people watch the movie and I think [Margot and Jacob] are doing this… I think she’s just playing a part,
—social media user
They are pulling a Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper PR!
—online commentator
At first this pairing screamed ‘infidelity’ but looking at these pics now I’m like ‘ehhhhhh.’ Ain’t nothing going on with these two.
—observer
Elordi also reflected on their work chemistry during the filming, recalling moments that felt genuine on set.
There’d be a moment where we’d be running hand-in-hand through the moors, maybe not even in the scene, just setting it up, where I’d look across at her, and she’d be looking at me, and you really realized you are looking at Catherine and she was looking at Heathcliff.
—Jacob Elordi, actor
And in that moment, we really were a part of their love, for real,
he added.
Controversies Surrounding Casting and Film’s Portrayal of Classic Material
The upcoming Wuthering Heights remake has attracted criticism beyond the stars’ interpersonal dynamics. The casting of Jacob Elordi, a white actor, as Heathcliff sparked backlash due to the novel’s depiction of the character as a dark-skinned Lascar, indicative of non-European heritage. Critics argue this choice amounts to whitewashing and undermines the novel’s racial and social themes. Additionally, the sexualized nature of the film’s preview teaser drew comparisons to erotica, leading to accusations it deviates from the original story’s focus on generational trauma and class tensions.
Margot Robbie’s casting as Catherine Earnshaw also raised questions, given the actress’s age compared to the teenage protagonist described in Brontë’s work. However, Victorian literature scholar Monica Cohen defended the decision, suggesting that Robbie’s appearance better matches that of a Victorian eighteen-year-old than a modern thirty-five-year-old.
Today’s Margot Robbie probably looks a lot closer to a Victorian eighteen-year-old than to a Victorian thirty-five-year-old!
—Monica Cohen, Victorian literature expert
Ongoing Online Criticism Suggests Unease Over the Pair’s Public Presentation
Although the photoshoot intended to evoke a “summer of love” vibe, many viewers found the mood staged and unsettling. Some commenters noted a dissonance in their interactions that left an impression of distance rather than passion, raising questions about the authenticity of their connection.
The overall staged vibe leaves you with the impression there’s something slightly off between these two…
—social media user
Amidst this, some fans remarked on Robbie’s personal life, with statements like,
I can feel [Margot’s] husband’s pain,
and
She needs to check in with her husband.
Robbie has been married to producer Tom Ackerley since 2016, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2024. The disclosures about her on-set emotional dependence on Elordi, coupled with the intimate photos, have thus triggered uncomfortable speculation.
Anticipation and Uncertainty Surround the Film’s Release and Reception
With Wuthering Heights due to premiere soon, all attention is now focused on how the film will be received by audiences and critics alike. Beyond the scrutiny of Robbie and Elordi’s personal dynamic, the adaptation’s controversial approach to casting and thematic emphasis threatens to overshadow the source material’s legacy. The project represents a significant cultural risk, raising questions about respect for classic literature in contemporary cinema and the challenges of balancing star-driven promotions with artistic integrity.
How the movie resonates emotionally with viewers and whether it can withstand the backlash remains to be seen as its release date approaches.
