'Wuthering Heights' Ending Explained, What Happens To 'Heathcliff' After 'Catherine' Passes Away?

Wuthering Heights, the romantic drama directed by Emerald Fennell, is currently the talk of the town. The film starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie was released in theatres on February 13, 2026. For the unversed, Emerald’s film is loosely inspired by Emily Bronte’s 1847 novel, Wuthering Heights. The film follows the doomed romance between 'Heathcliff' (played by Jacob Elordi) and 'Catherine Earnshaw' (played by Margot Robbie). Now that the film has hit the big screens, let’s find out what happens in the end.

Plotline of the film, Wuthering Heights

The story of Wuthering Heights is set in 1800’s England and kicks off with young 'Heathcliff' (played by Owen Cooper), who gets adopted by 'Catherine Earnshaw's' (played by Charlotte Mellington) father. The two little ones, 'Heathcliff' and 'Catherine', grew up together. Their growing closeness made them inseparable, but 'Catherine's' housekeeper and trusted servant, 'Nelly Dean', dislikes their bond.

Do 'Heathcliff' and 'Catherine' fall in love when they grow up? (Spoilers ahead)

Over the years, the estate, 'Wuthering Heights', owned by 'Mr. Earnshaw' has begun to crumble due to his alcoholism and gambling habits. Meanwhile, 'Heathcliff' has developed a fondness for 'Catherine', who too loves him. However, due to different social strata, 'Catherine' distances herself from 'Heathcliff'. She also showed interest in a wealthy neighbour named 'Edgar'. However, when 'Edgar' proposes to her for marriage, 'Catherine' confesses her love for 'Heathcliff' to 'Nelly'.

During the same conversation, 'Catherine' degrades 'Heathcliff', which the latter overhears and leaves the estate. When 'Catherine' gets to know about 'Heathcliff's' departure, she becomes heartbroken. She waited for one year and eventually married 'Edgar'. After marrying him, 'Catherine' moves to Thrushcross Grange and begins living a lavish life with 'Edgar' and his family. Five years pass by. While 'Catherine' is pregnant with 'Edgar's' child, 'Heathcliff' returns to 'Wuthering Heights'.

After returning to 'Wuthering Heights', 'Heathcliff' purchases the estate and has mysteriously acquired some wealth. 'Catherine' visits the estate when her father passes away. She gets teased by 'Heathcliff', who shows interest in marrying her sister, 'Isabella'. Out of jealousy, 'Catherine' begins an affair with 'Heathcliff'. 'Nelly' tries to intervene in their secret affair, but 'Catherine' tells her to stay out of it. To save her marriage and the future of 'Catherine' and 'Edgar's' child, 'Nelly' reveals it to the latter.

What happens when 'Heathcliff' gets to know about 'Catherine's' pregnancy?

When 'Nelly' informs 'Edgar' about 'Catherine' and 'Heathcliff's' affair, he tries to stop his wife from meeting 'Heathcliff'. However, to stop the duo, 'Edgar' reveals that 'Catherine' is pregnant with his child. Hearing this, 'Heathcliff' marries 'Isabella' out of spite. He grew close to 'Isabella' to seek the attention of 'Catherine'.

What happens at the end of the film, Wuthering Heights? (Spoilers ahead)

While 'Heathcliff' wrote letters to 'Catherine' after his marriage to 'Isabella', the letters were read by 'Nelly', who tore them after reading. Unaware that 'Heathcliff' still loved her, 'Catherine' locks herself in a room and refuses to eat. Due to starvation, her baby dies in the womb. When 'Nelly' gets to know that 'Catherine' suffered a miscarriage, she assumes that the latter was lying. However, 'Catherine's' deteriorating health raises her concern. Seeing this, 'Nelly' informs 'Heathcliff' about 'Catherine'.

Hearing this, 'Heathcliff' comes running to 'Catherine', only to see her lying on her deathbed. She passed away due to sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency. Being heartbroken, 'Heathcliff' clings to 'Catherine's' body. As he lies with her corpse, their childhood memories flash by, which were filled with innocence and a promise to stay by each other’s sides. Being devastated by 'Catherine's' death, 'Heathcliff' cursed himself to be haunted by 'Catherine's' ghosts.

What are your thoughts on the film, Wuthering Heights? Let us know.

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