'Cruella' Elevates a Villain Into an Anti-Heroine
Rachel Harris
The modern-day spin on the classic Disney character, Cruella, is anything but conventionally evil. In director Craig Gillespie's live-action interpretation of the iconic villain, viewers are treated to a dynamic, multi-layered portrayal of Estella (Emma Stone), a young aspiring fashion designer.
The movie takes place in the grunge-filled London of the '70s, where our protagonist grapples with her inner darkness, inspired by the punk-rock aesthetics of the time. Little by little, Estella uncovers her inner Cruella as she navigates a world of cutthroat competition and revenge, all while maintaining an unwavering love for dogs.
Contrary to the Vils' mythological bloodlust, the film posits that there is more to Cruella's story. With its Disney charm, 'Cruella' sees itself in the capable hands of a director well-versed in exploring complex characters, such as in the Academy Award-winning 'I, Tonya.'
Despite all efforts to play up the villain, Stone's Cruella falls short of the ominous prospects we've come to associate with the devilish character. Instead, she appears to be an emotionally hollow counterpart to eccentric icons like Pippi Longstocking and Anne of Green Gables.
Cruella's primary transgression is her insolent disposition, perhaps most notably exhibited towards Jasper (Joel Frye) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser), who have historically been portrayed as bumbling lackeys in the original Disney film (1961). Although her appearance may evoke memories of Joker and Harley Quinn’s monochromatic styles, her character is, remarkably, not 'psycho.'
Surprisingly, the chemistry between Stone and Frye is exceptionally endearing, and it is the film’s unwavering refusal to romanticize Cruella that truly captivates. The subtext hints at a gender critique towards ambitious, solitary women, subtly suggesting that the film is simply profiting from a current cultural moment.
In conjunction with her likable companion Ziggy Stardust (Emma Thompson in a delightful performance), the film features a synth-heavy soundtrack that pays homage to 70s hits like 'Whole Lotta Love,' 'Sympathy for the Devil,' and a playful update of 'I Wanna Be Your Dog.' Admittedly, some of these tracks might feel somewhat dated for a younger audience, but they certainly add an entertaining twist to the familiar story, making it more than just a simple retelling.
The film's storyline is both entertaining and meaningful, challenging traditional Disney motifs of moralizing and nuclear family values. While 'Cruella' may lack the grandeur of some of its studio's other productions, its spirit of subversive, anarchic fun is both unexpected and exhilarating.
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Amazingly, this seemingly sordid Disney flick may just be the studio's most authentic film to date - an ode to spectacle and artifice. And if it comes at the expense of hurting a few innocent individuals, well, c'est la vie. Together, Cruella and her unlikely companion Artie (John McRae) make for an enchanting duo of antiheroes in the fictional world of 'Cruella.'
Although this sugary ode to supposed wickedness hails from the very corporation that laid off thousands of employees during the pandemic while simultaneously ensuring exorbitant compensation for executives and shareholders, Disney remains unapologetic. In the face of criticism for its inhumane treatment of park employees, the company continued to pay its top brass and administrators premium wages during the summer while requiring hourly workers to don heavy, isolating garb and pay up to $15 per hour.
A stern reprimand to the world of cosplay, the Baroness would surely appreciate Disney's unapologetic pursuit of spectacular excess, all at the cost of its labor force.
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Enrichment Data:
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- In this live-action adaptation of Disney’s 'Cruella' (2021), the character of Estella/Cruella undergoes a transformation, subverting the traditional villain stereotype. Here, she is presented as a complex and multi-layered character with a conflicted backstory, whose motivations extend beyond the traditional 'evil for the sake of evil' tropes.
- This nuanced portrayal goes beyond straightforward character development, as it also delves into themes of individuality, empathy, and society's expectations. By humanizing Cruella through themes like revenge, survival, and morally ambiguous actions, the film invites its audience to reconsider their perception of the character.
- In doing so, 'Cruella' explores the intersection between personal identity, societal expectations, and broader cultural movements, offering audiences a fresh take on the iconic character while continuing Disney's tradition of pushing boundaries within the family-friendly genre.
