Margot Robbie's Skin Turned Into Wallpaper in New 'Wuthering Heights' Adaptation

Filmmakers Take Radical Visual Approach, But Film Opens Well Below Expectations

The new adaptation of Wuthering Heights has surprised audiences not only with its fresh take on the classic story but also with its highly unconventional artistic choices. In the film, actress Margot Robbie's skin has literally become a part of the set design.

The project's creators explained they aimed to 'immerse the viewer deeper into the heroine's world' and create an intensely intimate atmosphere around the character of Cathy.

'The Walls Are Like Her Skin': The Idea's Origin

In one scene, where Cathy is first shown her new bedroom, a maid proudly remarks that the walls of the room are 'like her skin.' This very line became the starting point for the bold visual concept.

Production designer Suzie Davies revealed the idea came about spontaneously. She approached Margot Robbie with an unusual request—to send high-resolution, detailed photos of her hands and veins.

The received images were processed, the contrast of the veins slightly enhanced, and then printed onto fabric. This fabric was used to upholster the wall panels in Cathy's bedroom, effectively turning the actress's skin into a key element of the set.

From Walls to Carpet: Taking the Experiment to the Max

The team didn't stop there. According to Davies, they even considered placing an image of the actress's navel above the fireplace, but the idea was ultimately scrapped for being too radical.

However, in the final scene, where a dying Cathy lies in bed and the camera captures her from above, the pattern of Margot Robbie's veins reappears—this time on the carpet.

'It looks even stranger, but that was exactly the effect we were going for,' the production designer admitted, explaining that the creators aimed for a cohesive and unsettling visual aesthetic.

In the end, the actress's skin became not just part of her on-screen persona, but a literal material used to shape the film's atmosphere.

A Disappointing Box Office Opening

Despite the star power of its lead actress and its unconventional artistic approach, the Wuthering Heights adaptation has opened far below all domestic box office expectations. The film failed to attract its anticipated audience, immediately raising questions about its future commercial prospects.

Experts suggest that such experimental choices can alienate mainstream viewers, especially when presenting a new interpretation of a classic literary work.