Margot Robbie has responded to recent claims about Jacob Elordi co-dependency after the pair sparked speculation while promoting their upcoming film, Wuthering Heights. The Australian actress, 35, stars as Catherine Earnshaw alongside Elordi, 28, who plays Heathcliff in the 2026 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel. Off-screen comments about their close bond initially fueled rumors of an affair, but Robbie has now clarified the situation.
Behind the Scenes of Their On-Set Chemistry
In an interview with Fandango, Robbie described her tendency to become emotionally attached to people she works closely with, admitting she quickly formed a strong connection with Elordi.
“I’m so codependent with people I work with, and I love everyone so much, and I’m always that person who’s so devastated when a job’s over and I never want it to end,”
she revealed. She also recounted how Elordi was a constant presence during filming, often “always in the corner watching,” which made her feel “quite lost” when he wasn’t nearby, comparing the feeling to
“a kid without their blanket or something.”
These remarks sparked a wave of commentary online. Some viewers perceived their closeness as genuine affection beyond friendship, while others accused the co-stars of deliberately flirting with affair rumors to generate buzz for the movie, especially since Robbie’s husband, Tom Ackerley, is a producer on the project.
Margot Robbie’s Response: Context and Clarification
Addressing the swirling rumors in a conversation with Glamour, Robbie emphasized that her previous remarks about co-dependency had been misunderstood and exaggerated.
“Unfortunately, that whole co-dependency thing has been really taken out of context and blown way up,”
she explained. Responding to claims about Jacob sending her Valentine’s roses, Robbie reiterated,
“What I was saying was we had a really fun time, all of us working on this film, and I really love making movies, and when I get to make them with really cool people that you become friends with, it’s really sad when the job ends.”
Exploring Complex On-Screen Relationships
Robbie, known for her role in I, Tonya, noted that she is familiar with portraying dysfunctional relationships on screen. She believes that the intense emotional conflicts between her character Catherine Earnshaw and Elordi’s Heathcliff, including their destructive love and unrequited feelings, enhance the film’s dramatic tension.
“Certainly, for Cathy and Heathcliff, their love does, when unrequited, mutate into something destructive that ends up hurting a lot of the characters around them,”
she said.
Jacob Elordi Speaks on Their Working Dynamic
Elordi also weighed in during press engagements for the film, describing a shared focus between the actors.
“If you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you’re going to make sure you’re within five to 10 meters at all times, watching how she drinks tea, how she eats her food…,”
he stated. He dismissed suggestions that he was told to stay nearby, as director Emerald Fennell clarified she never instructed him to do so. Elordi praised Robbie by calling her “just, like, an elite actor.”
Precedents of Manufactured Romance Rumors in Hollywood
Robbie and Elordi’s situation is not unique, as similar scenarios have unfolded with other celebrity co-stars. For example, Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell faced widespread speculation about a secret affair during the promotion of their romantic comedy Anyone But You, which intensified after Powell’s real-life relationship ended. Unlike Robbie and Elordi, neither Sweeney nor Powell outright denied the rumors during their promotional campaigns; Sweeney once described the gossip as “funny.” Powell later acknowledged to The New York Times that the dynamic was a “showmance,” aimed at boosting interest in the film.
“That’s people wanting what’s on the screen off the screen, and sometimes you just have to lean into it a bit — and it worked wonderfully,”
he said, adding, “Sydney is very smart.”
“Unfortunately, that whole co-dependency thing has been really taken out of context and blown way up.”
– Margot Robbie, Actress
“If you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you’re going to make sure you’re within five to 10 meters at all times, watching how she drinks tea, how she eats her food…”
– Jacob Elordi, Actor
“That’s people wanting what’s on the screen off the screen, and sometimes you just have to lean into it a bit — and it worked wonderfully.”
– Glen Powell, Actor
Critical Reception of Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights, which features a cast including Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, and Owen Cooper, has received mixed reviews since its release. According to review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 65% critic score. Some praise it for its sensuality and emotional depth, while others critique it as bland or dull.
Sarah Manvel of Movies We Texted About called the film a “sensation” and “stupefyingly hot,” whereas Yasser Medina of Cinefilia labeled it “bland.” Kate Sánchez from But Why Tho? A Geek Community described the movie as “abysmally dull.” In contrast, Metro’s film reviewer Tori Brazier awarded the film four out of five stars, calling it “devastatingly emotional” and highlighting its appeal “for the female gaze.”
Brazier noted the film’s risqué elements including swearing, BDSM scenes, and a level of sexual content that challenges typical period drama conventions, praising director Emerald Fennell for creating a “welcome daring, looser interpretation” of the source material.
What This Means for Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, and the Film’s Future
The controversy surrounding Jacob Elordi co-dependency claims illustrates how off-screen relationships can become magnified amid film promotions. Margot Robbie’s effort to set the record straight seeks to refocus attention on the movie itself and the complexities of its characters rather than personal gossip. As the public digests both the film and the actors’ statements, the situation highlights ongoing tensions between celebrity privacy and audience curiosity.
With Wuthering Heights stirring debates about both its adaptation choices and its stars’ dynamics, the spotlight on Robbie and Elordi is likely to continue as the film reaches wider audiences. The pair’s professional respect and creative collaboration remain central as they navigate the heightened scrutiny that accompanies high-profile projects.
