Cruella
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Cruella
Cruella is a 2021 Disney crime comedy-drama that reimagines the origin story of the infamous villain, Cruella de Vil. Set in 1970s London amid the burgeoning punk rock movement, the film follows Estella, a gifted but mischievous aspiring fashion designer. Her journey involves navigating the cutthroat fashion world, forming an unconventional family with two street thieves, and ultimately embracing her darker alter ego, Cruella, as she seeks revenge against a powerful fashion icon. The movie explores themes of identity, ambition, and retribution, wrapped in a visually striking and energetic aesthetic.
Things to Consider
Violence
The movie contains frequent instances of physical and psychological violence, including multiple depictions of death, attempted murder, and dog attacks. While not overly graphic with gore, the intensity and frequency of these violent acts, often played for dramatic effect or revenge, contribute to a darker tone suitable for older audiences.
Estella's mother, Catherine, dies early in the film after being pushed off a cliff by the Baroness's Dalmatians, an event witnessed by young Estella. Later, the Baroness attempts to murder Cruella by tying her to a chair and setting her apartment ablaze, leaving her to perish in the fire. The film also features numerous chase scenes, fights where characters are punched and kicked, and instances of property destruction, such as Cruella driving a garbage truck into a police station to free her friends.
Scary & Intense Content
The movie features several intense and potentially frightening scenes, including the death of a parent, attempted murders, and emotionally disturbing themes of abandonment and revenge. The psychological manipulation and dark motivations of characters, particularly the Baroness, create a constant sense of threat and distress.
Disrespect & Rebellion
Disrespect and rebellion are central themes of the film, forming the core of Cruella's character development. Estella actively defies authority figures, engages in petty thievery, and challenges societal norms, particularly in the fashion world. Her transformation into Cruella is driven by a strong desire for vengeance and a rejection of traditional expectations.
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LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The film features Artie, a prominent supporting character, who is presented as Disney's first openly queer character in a live-action film. Portrayed by openly gay actor John McCrea, Artie embodies a flamboyant, gender-bending glam rock style inspired by David Bowie and identifies as an outsider, aligning with the film's broader themes of embracing difference and chosen family. While some critics debated the explicitness, the actor and many viewers recognize Artie's queer identity, making him a visible representation.
Profanity
The movie includes occasional mild to moderate profanity and name-calling. Common expletives like 'hell' and 'damn' are used, along with derogatory terms such as 'stupid,' 'imbecile,' 'cripes,' and 'psycho.' While not pervasive, the language contributes to the film's edgier, rebellious tone.
Substance Use
The film depicts characters consuming alcohol and smoking. Alcohol consumption is shown at various parties and social events, sometimes to excess, and a character is shown drinking heavily and passing out. Smoking is also present, consistent with the 1970s setting.
Anti-Christian Themes
Some Christian reviews highlight concerns regarding the film's moral messaging, particularly its perceived glamorization of evil, rebellion, and revenge. The narrative suggests that embracing one's 'bad' nature can be more effective or enjoyable than striving for goodness, which contrasts with core Christian values of forgiveness, humility, and selflessness.
Romance and Sexual Content
Romantic and sexual content is minimal. The film does not feature explicit sexual acts or graphic nudity. There are no significant romantic plotlines for the main characters, and suggestive content is largely absent. One brief instance of non-sexual infant nudity is present at the beginning of the film.
Witchcraft & Occult
The movie "Cruella" does not contain any elements of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural themes. The narrative is grounded in a realistic (albeit stylized) 1970s London setting, focusing on fashion, crime, and human relationships rather than fantastical or supernatural elements.
Cruella presents a complex and often contradictory narrative when viewed through a Christian lens. The core themes revolve around identity, ambition, and revenge, with a central message of embracing one's darker, unique self to overcome adversity. This directly contradicts biblical values that emphasize self-control, humility, and seeking justice through righteous means rather than personal retribution. While the film promotes embracing individuality, it conflates this with embracing destructive tendencies and a desire for vengeance. Character morality is deeply ambiguous; Estella's transformation into Cruella sees her rewarded for deceit, manipulation, and vindictive actions against the Baroness, who herself is a caricature of vice. There is a notable lack of clear moral accountability for Cruella's escalating immoral acts, as her ‘success’ is tied to her embrace of her 'bad' side. The film's relativistic worldview suggests that 'good' and 'bad' are fluid concepts, with personal triumph achieved by whatever means necessary, particularly in a corrupt world. It does not present a transcendent view of life or meaning, but rather a materialistic pursuit of fame and power within the fashion industry. Redemption themes are largely absent and, in fact, inverted. Instead of sacrifice, forgiveness, or grace, the narrative culminates in Cruella faking her own death (as Estella) to fully embody her vengeful alter ego, suggesting that 'good dies so badness may reign'. This is antithetical to Christian teachings of dying to sin and living to righteousness. Family values are portrayed unconventionally; Estella forms a loyal, albeit criminal, 'found family' with Jasper and Horace, which highlights themes of camaraderie and loyalty among outcasts. However, this 'family' unit engages in theft and deception, normalizing illegal activities for survival and advancement. Traditional parental authority is shown as either absent (Estella's biological mother dies early) or abusive (the Baroness). Faith or Christianity is not explicitly depicted or represented in the film, meaning there is no direct respectful or negative portrayal; however, the overall moral ambiguity and celebration of revenge stand in stark contrast to Christian ethical frameworks.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
Recommended for ages 13 and up. The film is rated PG-13 for "some violence and thematic elements," indicating its darker tone and mature content. It features intense psychological themes, a focus on revenge, moderate violence, mild language, and portrayals of substance use, making it more suitable for teenagers and adults who can critically engage with complex character motivations and challenging moral landscapes.
Good to Know
The film's visual style, soundtrack, and character performances are highly acclaimed, but parents should be aware that these elements often serve to make morally ambiguous or outright villainous behavior appear captivating and stylish. The psychological depth of the characters and the themes of abandonment and revenge may require discussion with younger viewers. The tone is significantly darker and more complex than typical Disney live-action adaptations, leaning more towards a punk rock anti-hero narrative.
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