The Brett Cooper Show: "BookTok's Smut Obsession Just Killed Another Classic"

Date: February 1, 2026
Host: Brett Cooper

Episode Overview

In this episode, Brett Cooper critiques the upcoming Hollywood adaptation of "Wuthering Heights," produced by Margot Robbie’s company and starring Robbie and Jacob Elordi. She explores why the internet—and particularly classic literature fans—are outraged, attributing the controversy to "BookTok's" influence and Hollywood's obsession with sexualized marketing and PR stunts. Brett dissects how these trends reflect generational changes and what they reveal about shifting cultural values, relationships, and how beloved classics are reinterpreted (and, in her view, degraded) for modern audiences.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Instant Backlash and Outrage Online

• The moment news broke about Margot Robbie's "Wuthering Heights" adaptation, social media expressed skepticism and disdain. Brett describes it as a “criminal” choice to have Charli XCX compose the soundtrack for a gothic novel adaptation.

• Notable Quote:

  "It seems like nobody online is happy with the new Wuthering Heights, possibly not even the star, Jacob Elordi." (00:22)

• Viral online comments, such as “wine mom porn slop,” summarize the prevailing sentiment that the adaptation is little more than a "darker Bridgerton," or “Victorian Gothic 50 Shades of Grey." (00:57)

2. Brett’s Mixed Feelings About the Source Material

• Brett admits "Wuthering Heights" is not her favorite Victorian novel, contrasting her deep affection for "Jane Eyre" with her struggles to enjoy Bronte’s work.
• She emphasizes that, until recent headlines about the adaptation’s marketing, she didn’t care much, but the bizarre PR blitz drew her in. (02:00–02:45)

3. PR Stunts and Affair Rumor Marketing

• Brett draws a parallel to the PR campaign for “Anyone But You,” where Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell’s chemistry was heavily marketed to fuel tabloid and internet speculation about an offscreen affair—despite both being in relationships.

  • Glen Powell:

    "Sometimes harder to differentiate between real life and fake life." (03:25)

  • Brett:

    "Sir, you had a girlfriend, she had a fiancé. And 'had', by the way, is the key word..." (03:36)

• She suggests the Wuthering Heights campaign is similarly trying to fuel obsession or speculation but nobody seems charmed—just uncomfortable.

• Robbie’s husband is the executive producer, which Brett finds “so strange and icky.” (07:35–08:15)

4. Casting Concerns and Age Appropriateness

• Social media is critical of Margot Robbie (35) and Jacob Elordi (28) playing teenagers (15–19) from the original novel—though Brett notes it’s understandable not to cast actual teens in a "Victorian 50 Shades" scenario.

5. Sexualization and "Obsession" as Marketing

• The Vogue Australia photo shoot ("pure obsession... cinema's wild romance") fueled concern, especially with Robbie posing nude with Elordi while married (to the film’s executive producer).

• Obsession motif: repeated stories from Margot about Jacob’s on-set gestures—roses on Valentine’s Day in character, and an unsolicited display of "gentlemanly affection"—are repeatedly cited as "the most romantic things" she’d ever experienced, eclipsing anything her husband did.

  • Margot (about Jacob Elordi):

    "That was one of the most romantic things I have ever experienced and seen." (14:38)

• Brett argues it’s “crazy” and "objectively weird" for married/co-involved artists to massage obsession rumors to sell tickets. (11:36)

6. Lack of Real Chemistry & PR Fatigue

• Brett shows skepticism about the "mutual obsession" narrative:

  • Jacob Elordi:

    "We have a mutual obsession... If you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you're going to make sure you're within 5 to 10 meters at all times." (16:41)

• Many viewers feel the chemistry is forced or PR-driven, not genuine:

  • "Another person said, 'Ariana and Cynthia have more chemistry than this.'" (17:30)
  • “Why is everyone so mad that there's no chemistry? They are literally both in relationships, there should be no chemistry.” (17:45)

7. Director’s Track Record and Explicit Content

• The director, Emerald Fennell, is cited as being “porn brained” (Brett’s own words), previously directing explicit, controversial scenes in "Saltburn" (also starring Elordi).
• Promises of explicit, non-canonical sex scenes for “Wuthering Heights” ("something happens on a rock") have further disgusted fans.
• Online commenters:
  • “Emily Bronte wrote longing and grief. Emerald Fennell heard: let's traumatize everyone aesthetically.” (19:40)
  • “Wuthering Heights is a book about racism and a cycle of abuse and healing from generational trauma... it is so frustrating to see Hollywood turn it solely into a sexual fantasy.” (20:00)

8. BookTok’s Influence and Smut Culture

• Brett chains the explosion of sexualized adaptations and discourse back to BookTok (a TikTok community), which has mainstreamed “smutty” literature aesthetics.

• A viral "smut bookshop" opening in Nashville, huge lines wrapped around the block, signaling BoardBook’s real-world influence.

  • Brett:

    “BookTok has done irreparable damage to the youth.” (22:37)

• She notes young people are increasingly unsatisfied with constant sexual content in media, citing UCLA research: “My generation is saying, Hollywood, it is too much... We do not want it.” (23:40)

9. Cultural and Moral Fallout

• Many comments across social media criticize Robbie for disrespecting her marriage and professional integrity.
  • “Ma’am, you are married with a child and an excellent actor. You do not need to do this BS.” (21:25)
• Brett sees the campaign as an own-goal for Robbie’s reputation and the film:

  “Why are we tainting it with an awkward fake affair obsession to promote a Victorian porno where Charli XCX is doing the music, that just does not feel worth it to me.” (22:05)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It seems like nobody online is happy with the new Wuthering Heights, possibly not even the star, Jacob Elordi.” (00:22)
• Viral comment: “This is wine mom porn slop.” (00:57)
• On PR stunts:

  “They wanna bring us into this world of Catherine and Heathcliff, hence taking the Anyone But You PR tour route. And let me tell you, they are going hot and heavy. Just look at this photo shoot for Vogue Australia...” (09:15)

• Margot Robbie on-set gesture:

  “That was one of the most romantic things I have ever experienced and seen.” (14:38)

• Brett’s reaction:

  “My jaw was on the floor. Ma’am, you have a whole husband [...] Cut the cameras. Like, this is too much.” (14:47)

• Jacob Elordi on working with Margot Robbie:

  “We have a mutual obsession. I think the thing is... if you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you're gonna make sure you're within 5 to 10 meters at all times...” (16:41)

• Brett’s sarcasm on culture:

  “Hollywood in general is a lot hornier than the rest of America.” (22:10)

• On BookTok culture:

  “BookTok has done irreparable damage to the youth.” (22:37)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–02:45: Introduction, skepticism about the adaptation, Brett’s initial detachment
• 03:25–04:17: The “Anyone But You” PR comparison, Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney rumors
• 04:30–09:00: PR tactics for “Wuthering Heights,” age/casting criticisms, Vogue photo shoot reaction
• 11:36–14:47: Onset “obsession,” Margot’s romantic stories about Jacob Elordi, boundaries in Hollywood
• 15:10–15:50: Margot relates her friends’ “rabid” reactions to Jacob Elordi
• 16:41–17:50: Jacob Elordi and the mutual obsession narrative, analysis of PR vs reality
• 18:00–20:00: Director’s explicit vision, audience backlash, what gothic literature is really about
• 22:05–23:45: BookTok’s role, IRL smut shop, UCLA stats about sexual content fatigue among young audiences
• 21:25–22:05: Social media moral criticisms of the film/campaign

Tone & Style

Brett’s tone is irreverent, often sarcastic, candidly judgmental, and draws heavily on both firsthand internet reactions and her personal opinions as a pop-culture commentator. She is direct, uses colloquial and internet-native expressions ("wine mom porn slop," "porn brained"), and frequently references the generational divide between "chronically online" youth and Hollywood elites.

Conclusion

Brett closes with skepticism that Hollywood’s sex-obsessed approach—or BookTok’s tastes—benefit the legacy of classic literature or the image of its stars. She calls out Margot Robbie and the film’s team for PR schemes that cross professional boundaries and fail to capture the deeper substance of the source material. Brett predicts the movie will be financially successful but asserts it marks a cultural low point for adaptations and for the BookTok-driven smut trend dominating youth and pop culture.