Cruella

Set in the emerging punk scene of 1970s London, the Craig Gillespie-directed prequel of the iconic Cruella De Vil is the perfect film to bring people back to the theater.


Compared to Disney's other live-action films this one is a reimagining of a classic character that feels fresh and takes risks.


The fashion-centered film is structured as a heist that plays out against a series of costume balls. The film plays a little long with never-ending acts mixed with short one-offs. The mood is set by an extensive song list that fits each scene immersing you more into the film.


The plot starts out in the 1960s with a young Estrella seeing her mother die in an unfortunate accident. Alone and scared she treks to London where she meets two orphaned thieves, Jasper and Horace. A decade later a series of montages filled with elaborate costumes and schemes depict the three as master thieves. Through the help of her friends, the skilled seamstress lands a job with the Baroness. She discovers her employer played a role in the death of her mother and Cruella is born to take revenge.


The showdown between Emma Stone's Cruella and Emma Thompson's Baroness is a masterclass in acting. It is obvious the two of them and their supporting actors are having the time of their life in this caper style film. As the film plays on the costumes and antics only get more extravagant as the stakes get higher. There can only be one winner.