Review Roundup For Cruella

Disney's latest dive into the world of live-action takes on its iconic characters gives fans the origin story to the 101 Dalmatians villain Cruella de Vil. Emma Stone stars in Cruella as the titular character as we learn what turned this woman to a life of trying to make puppies into coats. The first critical reviews for the movie are in for the movie, and they're generally positive.

Releasing in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access on May 28, the film takes place in 1970s London. Cruella is a young fashion designer at odds with Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson). Currently on GameSpot's sister-site Metacritic, Cruella sits at a 62. There are 38 reviews, 21 of which are positive, 15 are mixed, and 2 are negative. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, Cruella is rated 72% fresh out of 112 reviews. Generally, critics are enjoying the upcoming live-action Disney movie.

While Cruella is available to watch in theaters, you can also check it out on Disney+. In addition to a Disney+ subscription, you'll have to pay a $30 fee to "rent" Cruella. You can watch the movie as much as you want while it remains in Premier Access--after it leaves Premier Access, it will head to the regular Disney+ service, available to every subscriber. Currently, Disney+ costs $8 a month.

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Below, you'll find a selection of various reviews for Cruella. Make sure to check out Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic for more.

Variety

"The fact that Gillespie and his team don’t play it safe, but embrace the macabre, Series of Unfortunate Events-like setbacks that befall these characters (including a scene in which the Baroness repays the favor of having been upstaged by attempting to burn Cruella alive) that makes this something other than formulaic kids' fodder." - Peter Debruge [Full review]

GamesRadar

"But though it's dark for a Disney, this edgy, dog-loving escapade (check out Winky the criminal chihuahua) is no junior Joker; older kids will love its dash and daring. True, like Cruella, it does take things a bit too far. It's too long, and too in love with its twist-on-twist plot and myriad, Scorsesian musical montages, comprising crisply edited scams and stunts propelled by the Rolling Stones, The Stooges, and Blondie. But it's hands-down Disney's best and punchiest prequel yet, one whose playful perils make for a deliciously rowdy ride." - Kate Stables [Full review]

Screenrant

"Cruella's brilliance would go understated without acknowledging the film’s breathtaking costume design, which is largely influenced by punk rock aesthetics and an urge to make a bold, fiery statement. Whereas most Disney remakes have been limited by a lack of originality, both in terms of script and character development, Cruella emerges as a much-needed act of rebellion, with the titular character donning an identity invested with true meaning. Needless to say, Cruella is the future." - Debopriyaa Dutta [Full review]

The Wrap

"Disney die-hards may blanch at the thought of a non-smoking, PETA-friendly Cruella, but if Batman can be Adam West dancing the Batusi and Christian Bale having an existential crisis, who's to say that there can’t be more than one version of this dog-obsessed diva?" - Alonso Duralde [Full review]

Chicago Sun Times

"We’re not even halfway through the Disney villain origins story “Cruella” when this much is clear: If this movie DOESN’T win Academy Awards for best makeup and hairstyling and best costume design, I can’t wait to see what tops it." - Richard Roeper [Full review]

The Hollywood Reporter

"Cruella requires dialing down the cynicism and buying in a little. But after such a wretchedly constrained and constricted year, who isn’t ready to revel in a little chaos?" - Lovia Gyarkye [Full review]

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