Cruella: a wicked genius

Cruella is the most original live-action remake Disney has ever done.

But is it technically a “remake?” Probably not, but in my brain, Cruella falls into the same category as Cinderella (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Aladdin (2019). 

Of course, I’m just a college student studying English and journalism: what could I possibly know about film?

Firstly, I pride myself on my acute ability to determine whether or not a story is good (to me, at least). My opinions on film are often unique, although once I’ve explained my conclusions to peers who disagree with me, most people agree with me. In other words, I’m either right or a very convincing critic. Either way, this is worth reading. 

Cruella is not redeemed in her movie, but rather, given a convincingly absurd back story. Her love for furs in “101 Dalmatians” is explained by her obsession with fashion and daring endeavors. However, Cruella’s experiment with dalmatian fur in her wardrobe is not just for fashion’s sake: it’s revenge.

*Spoilers ahead*

When she was a kid, Cruella watched her mother fall to her death. She was pushed by 3 dalmatians, hence, the dalmatian dress. Her mother’s death forced Cruella to fend for herself, and since Cruella has a proclivity for trouble-making, she quickly found her new family. Horace and Jasper quickly taught Cruella the ropes of living on the streets of London. Together, they became an unstoppable force in thievery.

But, stealing isn’t enough for Cruella. While she creates disguises for the team’s diabolical schemes, Cruella wants more. With the help of Horace and Jasper, she gets a job in retail and begins climbing the fashion ladder. She quickly finds that only powerful people in the industry have full creative rights, publicity, and glory. So, in true villain fashion, Cruella makes her mark on the industry not by invitation, but by intruding. Her style is original and like a perfect playlist, her pieces fit together perfectly. 

Disney has done villain backstories before, but never quite like Cruella. I found myself fascinated with Cruella, not sympathizing with her. She is a confusing mixture of contradictions, one side of her is dark, and the other light. She is a tragic villain, and yet, continuously acts out, hurting the few people who truly care about her. 

So, why is Cruella a movie worth watching? Because it doesn’t have any sense of order. Watching the movie is like watching a whirlwind of unpredictable events. I never saw any of the plot twists coming, and neither did Cruella. Emma Stone is a very convincing protagonist and antagonist. 

Cruella is a wicked genius. She is a powerhouse of enthusiasm and passion that cannot be killed, at least, not easily. In the end, Cruella is a winner.