Margot Robbie has revealed that the intimate scenes with her co-star Jacob Elordi in Wuthering Heights are far from as steamy as audiences might imagine, instead requiring extensive staging and technical precision.

The new adaptation, directed by Emerald Fennell, has drawn attention for casting Robbie and Elordi in the lead roles. Based on Emily Brontë’s 1847 classic novel, the film explores the intense, tormented relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff.

A demanding behind-the-scenes process
In an interview with E! News, Robbie explained that the intimate moments are highly technical rather than passionate. “I think those scenes are usually quite technical,” she said. “They require a lot of planning and choreography. There are actually other scenes that feel much more ‘in the moment.’”

According to Robbie, it is the arguments—rather than the romantic encounters—that carry the strongest emotional charge. With less choreography and more raw exchange, the verbal clashes between Catherine and Heathcliff pulled the entire crew into the characters’ heightened intensity. “Often, the arguments are when everyone really gets swept up and lives fully in the moment,” she added.

Speaking separately to People, Robbie emphasized that preparing for scenes considered “sexy” is not very different from preparing for any other sequence. The film demands total emotional commitment, especially as Catherine swings constantly between love, anger, and despair.

An unexpected on-set moment
Beyond the emotional challenges, the production also had its surprises. In one scene where Heathcliff breaks a chair to start a fire for Catherine, Elordi actually snapped the chair while filming.

Fennell said it was one of the earliest scenes shot and left the entire crew stunned. “I looked around and everyone’s mouths were open,” she recalled, noting that the reaction mirrored Catherine’s shock in the story. Robbie confirmed that her expression in the scene was a genuine response to the unscripted moment.

Fennell has previously described her version of Wuthering Heights as visceral and instinct-driven. The cast and crew, she said, were encouraged to push emotions to their limits and even experiment with bold choices to create a more powerful impact for the story.