Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s “Mutual Obsession” Divides Fans

When a big romantic drama hits cinemas, audiences expect passion on screen. What they may not expect is just as much passion off-screen.

That’s exactly what has been happening with the new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The two actors play Cathy and Heathcliff, one of literature’s most intense and complicated couples. But in recent weeks, it’s not just their on-screen chemistry that has people talking, it’s their behaviour during the film’s press tour.

From flirtatious interviews to Valentine’s Day roses and talk of a “mutual obsession,” the pair have leaned heavily into the romantic energy of their characters while promoting the movie. And while some fans are loving it, others say it’s giving them “the ick.”

A press tour full of passion

During interviews, both stars have made headlines with affectionate comments about one another.

Robbie said she felt “lost like a kid without their blanket” when Elordi wasn’t around on set. Elordi described their connection as a “mutual obsession,” adding that he was “enamoured” by her. Robbie even joked that one moment where he lifted her during filming made her feel “weak at the knees.”

Then came the Valentine’s Day story. Robbie revealed that Elordi had filled her room with roses while they were filming. She called it “so cute” and said it showed how thoughtful he must be as a boyfriend.

They also exchanged matching signet rings engraved with a famous line from Emily Brontë’s novel: “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

It all sounds very romantic. Almost too romantic.

Fans divided: cute chemistry or too much?

Some fans see it as harmless promotion.

“They’re just praising each other and doing their jobs,” one supporter wrote online. After all, romantic leads often talk up their connection to help sell the story they’re telling. But others feel it has crossed a line.

Several fans have said the whole display feels “fake,” “tacky,” or over-the-top. One criticism that keeps popping up is that Robbie is married her husband, Tom Ackerley, who is even one of the film’s producers. That fact makes the public flirting feel awkward to some viewers.

Another concern is about tone. Wuthering Heights is not a sweet romantic comedy. It’s a dark, tragic story about obsession, revenge and emotional turmoil. Some fans worry that the promotional narrative is making the film seem like a dreamy Valentine’s romance when it’s actually a deeply troubled love story.

“The trouble is, they’re romanticising something toxic,” one film fan commented online.

Is it all just clever PR?

Hollywood has a long history of blurring the line between fiction and reality.

When Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper performed together at the Oscars after starring in A Star Is Born, rumours exploded about their relationship. Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell sparked romance gossip while promoting their rom-com Anyone But You. Even Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s emotional bond during the Wicked press tour became a viral talking point.

In many cases, these so-called “showmances” are part of the marketing machine. They generate headlines, spark social media debate and keep the film in the public conversation.

And in that sense, the strategy seems to be working for Wuthering Heights. Whether people love it or hate it, they are talking about it.

Some industry observers suggest the intense focus on Robbie and Elordi’s off-screen dynamic could be helping to distract from mixed reviews of the film itself. When critics aren’t universally enthusiastic, creating buzz around the stars can keep interest high.

But there’s also a growing sense of “showmance fatigue.” Audiences today are media-savvy. Many feel they can easily spot when a romance is being exaggerated for publicity.

“Viewers aren’t stupid,” one PR expert said in a recent interview. “They can tell when something feels manufactured.”

Method acting or marketing?

There’s another angle too. Both Robbie and Elordi have spoken about how emotionally intense the filming process was. Their closeness during promotion may be simply an extension of that shared experience.

Actors often form strong bonds when working on emotionally demanding projects. Spending months immersed in a story like Wuthering Heights, filled with obsession and heartbrea,k could naturally create a deep connection between co-stars. Some fans argue that if Robbie’s husband is comfortable with it, the public shouldn’t be outraged.

“What saves it from being sinister is that her husband is producing the film,” one entertainment commentator noted. “If he’s not worried, why should anyone else be?”

Does it matter in the end?

Despite the complaints, most of the fans who said they were irritated also admitted they plan to watch the film anyway. The release timing around Valentine’s Day only adds to the romantic marketing angle. For many viewers, the buzz, even if slightly cringeworthy, just adds to the intrigue. And in Hollywood, attention is currency.

Jacob Elordi has already been spotted at events with other co-stars, sparking new rounds of headlines. That’s the nature of show business: today’s on-screen soulmate becomes tomorrow’s co-star chemistry story.

Whether Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s “mutual obsession” is heartfelt, strategic, or somewhere in between, one thing is clear: it has worked. The conversation around Wuthering Heights is loud, emotional and impossible to ignore. In the end, that might be exactly what the studio wanted.

Wuthering Heights is now playing in UK cinemas, and if nothing else, audiences will be walking in with plenty to discuss.