Margot Robbie parties in LA for Wuthering Heights premiere: couture, controversy and chemistry

There was glamour, romance and a big night out

Hollywood turned gothic-glam this week as Margot Robbie, 35 celebrated the Los Angeles premiere of Wuthering Heights.

It’s the movie with the bold new adaptation that has already ignited intense conversation online. The actress, producer and newly crowned power player of prestige cinema leaned fully into the drama of the night. Margot stepping out in a jaw-dropping Valentino couture dress and necklace belonging to Elizabeth Taylor. Then she headed off to a buzzy afterparty packed with co-stars, creatives and industry heavyweights.

A red carpet steeped in gothic romance

The premiere was held at the TCL Chinese Theatre, a venue synonymous with old-school Hollywood spectacle. It perfectly suited to the moody, windswept passion of Emily Brontë’s classic. The carpet was awash in stars walking it wearing deep reds and blacks. It was deliberately styled to echo the emotional violence and intensity of the story itself.

Robbie commanded attention in a custom Schiaparelli couture gown, a piece that blended Victorian romance with modern edge. The structured lace bodice and dramatic silhouette felt intentional rather than decorative. The lace bodice cascaded into dramatic shades of red and black. It mirrored the wild emotional landscape of the story. It is considered a visual thesis statement for the film’s darker, more sensual interpretation. Fashion critics quickly noted how the look positioned Robbie not just as a star, but as a creative architect shaping the tone of the entire project.

Jewellery with Hollywood history

Adding to the moment was Robbie’s choice of jewellery, which carried its own cinematic legacy. She wore the iconic Cartier Taj Mahal diamond necklace. It was famously once owned by Elizabeth Taylor, gifted by Richard Burton during their turbulent love affair. The symbolism was impossible to ignore. It’s a relic of obsessive, passionate romance now adorning a film built on similar themes of love curdling into destruction.

The necklace was paired with 38-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond earrings. Robbie’s manicure featured diamond and ruby embellishments that subtly reinforced the red-hot palette of the evening. It was maximalist, intentional and unapologetically theatrical — much like the film itself.

Who was there: cast, creatives and power players

Robbie was joined on the carpet by her leading man, Jacob Elordi, 28, who plays Heathcliff. Elordi’s understated monochrome tailoring offered a sharp contrast to Robbie’s drama. The two appeared closely in sync — exchanging smiles, lingering touches and an easy familiarity that cameras eagerly captured.

Also present was Robbie’s husband, Tom Ackerley, who kept a low-key but unmistakably proud presence beside her. He wore a classic black tuxedo, which was also understated but worked perfected next to his wife’s dramatic outfit.

Supporting cast members included:

• Hong Chau
• Alison Oliver
• Shazad Latif also attended,
• composer Charli XCX, whose involvement in the soundtrack added an unexpected contemporary edge to the project

The turnout underscored the film’s positioning as both a literary adaptation and a cultural event.

The after party: a shift in mood and fashion

After the formalities of the premiere, the night loosened considerably at the afterparty. This is where Robbie changed into a striking, bold new look that leaned more modern and playful.

The after party dress signalled a clear transition from gothic heroine to celebratory leading lady. It was sleek, body-skimming and far more revealing than her red-carpet gown. It complemented the edgy glamour of the night at the after party.

The guest list expanded beyond the cast to include fashion insiders, producers, musicians and Hollywood friends. The atmosphere reportedly energetic and celebratory rather than restrained. While Robbie remained the focal point, she was visibly relaxed, laughing and mingling. A reminder that this was not just a premiere, but the culmination of years of creative investment.

Why Margot and Jacob are always holding hands

One of the most discussed elements of the night — and the broader press tour — has been Robbie and Elordi’s physical closeness.

Since Wuthering Heights began its promotional tour, Robbie and Elordi’s on-screen chemistry and off-screen rapport have drawn plenty of coverage. Scenes of them holding hands during interviews and photoshoots — along with exchanging symbolic rings tied to the story — have fuelled chatter online about their closeness.

From hand-holding to shared laughter and symbolic gestures, their chemistry has fuelled endless online speculation. Industry insiders are quick to point out that Robbie has been equally tactile with other cast members throughout filming and promotion. This suggests the hand holding is less about romance and more about ensemble bonding and storytelling cohesion.

This connection is professional and tied to marketing and their intense work dynamic, not a romantic relationship. Robbie is married to Tom Ackerley (since 2016). They have a child and co-lead their production company, LuckyChap Entertainment. Elordi’s affectionate public demeanour is widely understood as part of promoting the beloved — and extremely passionate — love story at the heart of Wuthering Heights, rather than a real-life romance.

In the context of Wuthering Heights, where passion, obsession and emotional dependency drive the narrative, the physicality reads as deliberate. It reinforces the intensity of their on-screen relationship while maintaining Robbie’s consistent image as a collaborator who builds genuine rapport with her co-stars rather than playing into tabloid narratives. And while there has been some criticism of their “romantic” looks and closeness, it’s not the mainstream. Everyone realises that her husband was there the whole time.

Tom Ackerley’s real role in the film

There has been some confusion online about Tom Ackerley’s involvement in the movie, with rumours incorrectly suggesting he directed it.

In reality, the film was written and directed by Emerald Fennell. She is known for her provocative storytelling and refusal to sanitise difficult themes.

Ackerley served as an executive producer through the couple’s production company, LuckyChap Entertainment. It’s become increasingly influential in championing female-led and risk-taking projects. His role was strategic rather than creative. He supported financing, development and production, while Robbie remained front-and-centre as both star and producer.

“Soft porn” or sensual reinterpretation?

Ahead of the premiere, the film’s trailer sparked fierce debate online.

Some critics labelling the visuals “soft porn” due to their raw sensuality and unflinching intimacy. These reactions largely stemmed from brief clips that emphasised physical desire and emotional volatility rather than traditional period restraint.

This characterisation may say more about expectations than content. Fennell’s filmmaking style has always leaned toward discomfort and provocation.

Early buzz suggests Wuthering Heights is less about titillation and more about exposing the ugliness and extremity of obsessive love. Formal reviews remain limited, but early audience reactions describe the film as polarising, visually striking and emotionally intense. This is precisely the kind of response its creators likely anticipated.

Whether audiences and critics ultimately embrace or reject this version will become clearer after the 13 February theatrical release.