Can My Child Watch Wuthering Heights?

It’s hard to escape the buzz around Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights (2026) right now. Whether you’ve got a Margot Robbie fan, a Jacob Elordi fan, a Charli xcx fan, or someone in the whānau who genuinely loves the classic novel, there might be strong insistence on seeing it at the cinema.

But with all the hype, parents and caregivers may be wondering – is it actually okay for tamariki and young rangatahi to watch Wuthering Heights?

The film has been cross-rated M in New Zealand, with warnings for sex scenes and offensive language. In Aotearoa, an M rating means the film is recommended for audiences aged 16 and over, but it isn’t legally restricted. Technically, anyone can watch it. That’s why we always suggest checking our content breakdowns first – M-rated films can vary hugely in tone and intensity.

See our content breakdown for Wuthering Heights here.

Is this version of Wuthering Heights similar to the book?

It’s important to remember that this is an adaptation, not a page-by-page retelling of the original novel. While the book explores passionate and sometimes destructive relationships, the film places a stronger emphasis on physical intimacy, sexual themes and lustful “yearning” than many readers may expect.

That means even families familiar with the story might find the on-screen version feels more explicit or emotionally intense than the book itself.

How much sexual content is in Wuthering Heights?

Sexual themes appear throughout, and while nudity is limited, there are multiple scenes that strongly imply sexual activity and explore complex relationship dynamics.

Some moments may go over younger viewers’ heads, but others could raise questions or feel uncomfortable – especially for younger rangatahi who aren’t yet familiar with mature relationship themes. The key thing for parents to know is that the sexual content is frequent and thematic, rather than brief or incidental.

Strongest sexual content from Wuthering Heights includes:

• We see brief glimpses of a man’s head between a woman’s legs, various thrusting movements, and sounds of mutual pleasure.
• A hidden character watches a couple have sex in a stable, where it is implied that they use leather straps for pleasure. We hear sounds and brief glimpses of restraints being put over a woman’s head.
• In one scene, a female character masturbates – we see only arm movement and can hear her pleasure. 

Is there nudity in Wuthering Heights?

There is very little explicit nudity in the film.

Most intimate scenes avoid full nudity through camera framing and costume choices. Viewers may see brief male topless nudity (such as chests or backs), but explicit detail is limited. The film tends to rely more on suggestion, sound, and implication rather than graphic visuals.

Even without nudity, the tone and context of some scenes are clearly adult, which is worth keeping in mind when deciding whether the film is suitable for younger viewers.

Other themes parents should know about before watching Wuthering Heights

Beyond sexual content, the film includes several elements that may be unsettling for younger audiences:

• Violence and emotionally distressing scenes, including moments involving death and injury
• Family conflict and unhealthy relationship dynamics
• Themes of grief, obsession, and emotional harm
• Power imbalances between characters that may need context

There is also occasional strong language, including words like “f**k” and “sh*t”.

Is Wuthering Heights appropriate for children or young teens?

It really comes down to the individual young person – their age, maturity, and sensitivities.

Because the film explores adult relationships and darker emotional territory, younger viewers may find parts confusing or uncomfortable even when little is shown explicitly on screen. If your rangatahi hasn’t yet had open conversations about relationships, consent, or emotional boundaries, this might be one to save for later.

For older teens who are curious, watching together can help create space for questions afterwards.

How to talk to your child about Wuthering Heights without making it awkward

It doesn’t need to be a big “birds and bees” chat. Often it’s easier to focus on character decisions and story themes instead.

Try asking:

• Why do you think the characters made the choices they did?
• Did any relationships in the film seem healthy or unhealthy?
• Was there a moment that made you uncomfortable or confused?
• What do you think the story is saying about love and obsession?
• Did any characters change by the end – and why?

These kinds of questions help rangatahi think critically about what they’ve watched without putting pressure on them.

Final thoughts – hype, cast and soundtrack vs mature themes

A buzz-worthy cast and soundtrack can be a huge drawcard, but it’s worth remembering that Wuthering Heights is still a story built on intense emotions, complicated relationships, and mature themes – and this adaptation leans into those elements more strongly than the book in some areas.

If someone in your whānau wants to see it, knowing what to expect beforehand and keeping conversations open afterwards can help make the experience more positive for everyone.

Further reading:

• What the M?!
• Wuthering heights content breakdown