Cruella ★★★★☆
There’s something irresistibly satisfying about watching a Disney villain claw her way to the top in stilettos, especially when those stilettos come with a punk-rock attitude and a wardrobe to die for. Cruella is a high-fashion revenge romp that gleefully dives into the backstory of one of Disney’s most iconic baddies, Estella Miller—who will, of course, become the notorious Cruella de Vil. But don’t worry, no puppies were harmed in the making of her origin story. Well, not exactly.
Set against the anarchic backdrop of 1970s London, Cruella follows Estella (Emma Stone) as she navigates her way from small-time grifter to haute couture renegade. After discovering the shocking truth about her mother’s death—spoiler: it involves some very ill-mannered Dalmatians—Estella embraces her darker alter ego, Cruella, and sets out to topple her cruel mentor, the delightfully vicious Baroness (Emma Thompson), in a no-holds-barred fashion duel.
The film’s core theme is an exploration of identity—how one’s past traumas and ambitions can sculpt a persona like Cruella. But it’s also a story about rebellion and artistic expression, with Cruella’s rise symbolizing a sort of anti-establishment ethos, even if it comes draped in designer fabric. Like the punk rock era it’s set in, Cruella thrives on a chaotic blend of rebellion, extravagance, and unapologetic style.
Visually, Cruella is nothing short of stunning. Director Craig Gillespie leans into the frenetic energy of the era with dynamic cinematography and dazzling costume designs by the legendary Jenny Beavan (seriously, each outfit is more outrageous than the last). The film’s set pieces, especially the outrageous fashion shows, are spectacles in themselves, dripping with a blend of glamour and punk attitude that would make Vivienne Westwood proud.
As for the performances, this is truly a tale of two Emmas. Emma Stone brings both wit and depth to Estella, making her transformation into the morally ambiguous Cruella feel strangely relatable. But it’s Emma Thompson who nearly steals the show as the Baroness—a character so deliciously cold and self-obsessed that she practically chews through the scenery, leaving nothing but fabric scraps and terrified minions in her wake. Their rivalry gives the film its biting edge, while Stone’s occasional glimmers of vulnerability remind us there’s more to Cruella than meets the (heavily mascaraed) eye.
Where the film falters, however, is in its pacing. At over two hours, Cruella overstays its welcome by at least 20 minutes, with some scenes feeling like they belong on the cutting room floor. There’s also the matter of tone—it flirts with the darkness you’d expect from a villain origin story but pulls its punches just when things could get truly wicked.
Still, for anyone looking for a stylishly chaotic, female-driven caper with enough attitude to make even the mildest Disney fan raise an eyebrow, Cruella delivers. It’s a film that revels in its own excess, much like its title character, and makes being bad look oh-so-good.
Cruella is for fashionistas, Disney nostalgists, and anyone who enjoys watching a villain earn their stripes—er, spots. With its dazzling visuals, charismatic performances, and rebellious spirit, it’s sure to appeal to fans of The Devil Wears Prada as much as those who grew up with 101 Dalmatians. Just don’t expect too much depth behind all that black-and-white flair.
