Cruella (2021)

Last updated:
December 29, 2025

Cruella (2021) is Disney’s bold attempt to reimagine one of its most iconic villains, turning Cruella de Vil into a stylish, rebellious anti-hero. Set against the punk-fueled fashion scene of 1970s London, the film blends origin story, revenge drama, and high-fashion spectacle.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

A Troubled Child Named Estella

The film begins with Estella, a brilliant but rebellious child born with striking black-and-white hair. From a young age, she shows an innate talent for fashion design and a defiant personality that often gets her into trouble. Her mother, Catherine, tries to teach her kindness and restraint, insisting that Estella must suppress her darker impulses.

A pivotal and traumatic event occurs when Estella, Catherine, and their dog attend a lavish party at Hellman Hall. After a confrontation with the cold and powerful Baroness von Hellman, Catherine is pushed off a cliff by Dalmatians, apparently dying in a tragic accident. Estella believes her own behavior caused the tragedy, a guilt that haunts her for years.

Life on the Streets and a New Identity

Now orphaned, Estella escapes to London and falls in with two petty thieves, Jasper and Horace, who become her chosen family. Together, they survive through clever scams while Estella dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Over time, she learns to suppress her wild side, presenting herself as polite, hardworking, and invisible.

Eventually, Estella lands a job at the prestigious Liberty department store, where her talent catches the eye of the fashion world’s reigning queen: the Baroness, a legendary but cruel designer. Estella is thrilled to work for her idol, unaware of the deeper connection between them.

The Birth of Cruella

Estella discovers that the Baroness owns a distinctive necklace that once belonged to her mother. As memories resurface, she uncovers the horrifying truth: the Baroness was responsible for Catherine’s death. This revelation shatters Estella’s self-restraint and gives rise to her alter ego: Cruella.

Cruella becomes a public spectacle, hijacking fashion events with shocking designs meant to humiliate and provoke the Baroness. Each appearance is a carefully planned act of revenge, blending theatrical flair with razor-sharp strategy. London becomes obsessed with this mysterious new figure, while the Baroness grows increasingly unhinged.

A War of Fashion and Power

As Cruella’s popularity grows, the Baroness launches an all-out campaign to destroy her. Behind the scenes, alliances fracture and secrets come to light. Jasper and Horace begin to question Cruella’s methods, sensing that her obsession with revenge is consuming her humanity.

The conflict escalates when Cruella is arrested and seemingly executed, only for it to be revealed as an elaborate ruse. The film constantly plays with illusion, performance, and identity, reinforcing the idea that fashion itself is a form of storytelling and deception.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Cruella invites the Baroness to Hellman Hall for what appears to be a dramatic confrontation. In front of the guests, Cruella exposes the Baroness’s crimes, revealing that she murdered Catherine, who is also revealed to be Cruella’s biological mother. This twist reframes the entire story: Estella was never an outsider by nature, but a rejected heir.

Cruella orchestrates events so that the Baroness pushes her off the same cliff, mirroring Catherine’s death. However, Cruella survives due to a hidden safety net, while the Baroness is arrested for murder. Importantly, Cruella ensures the Baroness believes she has killed her daughter, delivering poetic justice without actually dying.

Legally declared dead as Estella, she fully embraces her new identity as Cruella de Vil, inheriting Hellman Hall and transforming it into her personal fashion empire. Jasper and Horace remain by her side, though the tone suggests a darker future. The film ends with Cruella triumphant, powerful, and unapologetically herself, setting the stage for her eventual descent into villainy rather than redeeming her completely.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes, there are two post-credits scenes.

One reveals Cruella gifting Dalmatian puppies named Pongo and Perdita to Roger and Anita, directly linking the film to 101 Dalmatians. The second shows Jasper receiving a puppy named Wink, and Horace receiving Horace (yes, really), reinforcing the origin story connections.

Type of Movie

Cruella is a crime-driven origin story blending dark comedy, fashion drama, and character study. While rooted in Disney fantasy, it leans heavily into stylized realism and moral ambiguity.

Cast

Emma Stone as Estella / Cruella
Emma Thompson as The Baroness
Joel Fry as Jasper
Paul Walter Hauser as Horace
Emily Beecham as Catherine
Mark Strong as John the Valet

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Nicholas Britell, but the film is equally defined by its soundtrack. Featuring bands like The Rolling Stones, The Clash, Blondie, and David Bowie, the music grounds the film firmly in 1970s London and gives Cruella her punk-rock edge.

Filming Locations

The movie was shot primarily in London, including landmarks like:

Liberty London (fashion authenticity)
Old Royal Naval College (elite high-society settings)
Pinewood Studios (interior and costume-heavy scenes)

These locations emphasize the contrast between gritty street life and aristocratic excess, mirroring Cruella’s inner conflict.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Award – Best Costume Design (Winner)
BAFTA – Best Costume Design (Winner)
Multiple nominations for production design and makeup

The costumes were widely praised as the film’s strongest technical achievement.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Emma Stone worked closely with costume designer Jenny Beavan to shape Cruella’s persona through clothing.
Over 47 costume changes appear in the film.
Emma Thompson reportedly encouraged improvisation during confrontational scenes.
The Baroness was intentionally written as irredeemable to avoid moral confusion.

Inspirations and References

101 Dalmatians (1961)
Punk movement of 1970s Britain
Fashion icons like Vivienne Westwood
Films such as The Devil Wears Prada and Joker (2019) in tone and structure

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Early drafts reportedly featured a softer ending, with Cruella seeking reconciliation. These were cut to maintain her darker trajectory. Several deleted scenes expand Jasper and Horace’s moral conflict but were removed for pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While inspired by Dodie Smith’s novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians, the film significantly diverges by:

Making Cruella more sympathetic
Removing the obsession with fur coats
Adding a revenge-driven personal history

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Cruella’s trash-truck fashion reveal
The burning dress transformation
The cliffside confrontation at Hellman Hall

Iconic Quotes

“I am woman. Hear me roar.” – Cruella
“You have the talent. Whether you have the killer instinct is the real question.” – The Baroness

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The Dalmatian whistle mirrors the animated film
Baroness’s office silhouette resembles her animated design
Newspaper headlines foreshadow Cruella’s future crimes

Trivia

Emma Stone dyed her hair instead of using a wig
The film took nearly four years to develop
Cruella never kills a dog in the movie, deliberately subverting expectations

Why Watch?

If you enjoy complex anti-heroes, high fashion, and stylish revenge stories, Cruella offers a surprisingly mature and visually rich experience. It doesn’t excuse Cruella’s future cruelty, but it explains how she became who she is.

Cruella (2021)