Charli XCX’s collaboration with John Cale, “House,” immediately captivated listeners with its brooding atmosphere. The track, which opens her 2026 album Wuthering Heights, builds from sparse, creaking strings to a powerful crescendo, evoking the confinement and psychological turmoil central to Emily Brontë’s novel. While anticipation surrounded how director Emerald Fennell would integrate the song into her adaptation of Wuthering Heights, the film’s execution left some wanting more.
“House” appears during the opening scenes of the film, accompanying a frenzied hanging followed by Cathy and Nelly’s desperate run across the moors toward Wuthering Heights. The song then fades as the estate—a dark silhouette against the rugged landscape—comes into view. Despite the song’s inherent bleakness, and the addition of orchestrations by Anthony Willis, its placement feels incongruous. The juxtaposition of the claustrophobic track with the expansive moorland scenery and a lively crowd scene diminishes its intended impact, losing the sense of creeping dread and isolation.
The song’s potential wasn’t fully realized within the film’s narrative, a missed opportunity considering its thematic resonance. The lyrics, particularly the haunting refrain of “I think I’m gonna die in this house,” could have been powerfully linked to Cathy’s anxieties about her fate at Wuthering Heights with her ailing father, or her later feelings of entrapment at Thrushcross Grange. As one observer noted, if a song is titled “House,” tying it to a character’s relationship with a central location seems a natural fit.
However, where Fennell’s adaptation faltered, TikTok has thrived. “House” has exploded in popularity on the platform, becoming a viral meme soundtracking moments of despair, unsettling imagery, and darkly humorous situations. The song’s unsettling power, while perhaps lost in the film’s execution, has been brilliantly weaponized by TikTok users, adding a layer of ironic commentary to everyday anxieties.
TikTok’s Embrace of a Dark Aesthetic
The trend showcases short clips set to “House,” often featuring scenes of mundane frustration or unsettling visuals. This unexpected application has breathed new life into the track, allowing it to resonate with a wider audience and highlighting its inherent emotional weight. The song’s ability to amplify feelings of unease and dread translates surprisingly well to the platform’s quick-cut, visually-driven format.
The success on TikTok underscores the song’s enduring appeal and its ability to connect with audiences on a visceral level. While the film’s use of “House” felt somewhat disjointed, the TikTok community has found a way to harness its unsettling energy and transform it into a darkly comedic and relatable expression of modern anxieties.
Charli XCX’s Wuthering Heights album, released on February 13, 2026, by Atlantic Records, was created as a companion piece to Fennell’s film. The album features collaborations with artists like John Cale, and spawned the singles “House” (released November 10, 2025), “Chains of Love” (November 13, 2025), “Wall of Sound” (January 16, 2026), and “Always Everywhere” (February 13, 2026) – as reported by Wikipedia.
The collaboration between Charli XCX and John Cale on “House” was particularly meaningful for the artist, who described being brought to tears by Cale’s contribution. Cale, a former member of The Velvet Underground, delivered a spoken-word section including the now-iconic line, “I think I’m gonna die in this house,” inspired by a documentary where he described the band’s songwriting process as “elegant and brutal” (BBC News).
The Power of Sound and Visual Synergy
The contrast between the film’s use of the song and its viral success on TikTok highlights the importance of synergy between sound and visuals. While Fennell’s vision didn’t fully capitalize on the song’s potential, the TikTok community has demonstrated a remarkable ability to find the perfect visual accompaniment, amplifying its emotional impact and creating a new cultural moment. As The Guardian noted, the song itself is a “haunt[ing]” and “brutal” taste of the film’s soundscape.
Wuthering Heights is currently in theaters. The film’s soundtrack, featuring the full breadth of Charli XCX’s work on the project, is available for streaming and purchase. As TikTok continues to shape popular culture, it will be fascinating to see how other film soundtracks find new audiences and unexpected life beyond the screen.
What other film soundtracks do you think deserve a second life on TikTok? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
