Disney’s Latest Version Of ‘Cruella’ Is Darker And Fans Say It Has Some Harley Quinn Vibes To It

Disney fans may still remember the film ‘101 Dalmatians’, which features its iconic antagonist, Cruella de Vil, played originally by Glenn Close.

The character’s show-stopping wardrobe, flamboyant attitude and thirst for Dalmatian skin (which is a bit disturbing, honestly) landed her the title of one of the most badass villains in Disney cinematic history.

And now, she’s about to get the spotlight all for herself in her very own origin film.

Notorious fashionable villain

Disney recently released the trailer for ‘Cruella’ starring Emma Stone, which sent fans into a frenzy.

Based on the trailer, we can see Stone going on a journey from a redhead to becoming the psychopath Cruella De Vil we all know today.

Set in the 1970s amidst the punk rock revolution in London, ‘Cruella’ follows a young girl named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs.

She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets.

The film appears to have a darker, sinister undertone which fans loved, but some pointed out that it has a bit of Maleficent/Harley Quinn vibes to it.

EMMA STONE AS CRUELLA HER SERVE INCOMING pic.twitter.com/ZplDd9Gx59
— dio (@rueonfilm) February 16, 2021

EMMA STONE AS CRUELLA DE VIL IS LITERALLY ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I'VE EVER SEEN pic.twitter.com/sQiKFWDQfp
— ???? ᗢ (@wntrwidow) February 17, 2021

Emma Stone as Cruella.Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.The crossover I never knew I needed. pic.twitter.com/OWbF8OwjLc
— Jay.. (@x_warinmymind) February 17, 2021

I just can't get over how visually gorgeous CRUELLA actually looks. Everything from the colors to the lighting to the production design to the cinematography to the hair, makeup, & costumes are all on point.I love this anarchic glam rock direction & Emma Stone is killing it. pic.twitter.com/brT00T4kdj
— ? (@JesTheMermaid) February 18, 2021

Disney out here giving Cruella... Joker/Harley Quinn vibes & I’m here for it. pic.twitter.com/WGZhWsKarH
— Patrick Dougall (@PatrickADougall) February 17, 2021

Honestly going the Harley Quinn route with Cruella is lowkey genius. I think Emma Stone is about to eat it up not gonna lie. The visual style also looks a lot different than these other live action re-imaginings.
— Reviews by Brooks (@brookstweetz) February 17, 2021

WHY IS THIS GIVING ME A DC TAKE ON CRUELLA? SHES GIVING ME JOKER AND HARLEY QUINN VIBES ?? pic.twitter.com/VS2Jt8myd5
— ? TAYLORDE’S VERSION? (@jpcleds13) February 17, 2021

I’m...actually kinda excited for this one now.Especially since it very much looks like they aren’t going for “sympathetic anti-hero” like Maleficent.More “this is how Cruella took over the fashion industry Harley Quinn style”. https://t.co/d7KxuZn4pH
— The Intersectional Anansesem (@TaranTrinnaman) February 17, 2021

Cruella getting a Maleficent level entrance is all I needed in life. pic.twitter.com/2nFeQKsxKl
— Maddox| WandaVision Spoilers (@cbmroyale) February 17, 2021

Cruella origin story? We love to see it! Same vibe as Maleficent which I LOVE! ?? https://t.co/XdgZAHhEnK
— Ang?she/her (@anpara4) February 17, 2021

The movie also stars Emma Thompson as Baroness von Hellman, Mark Strong, Joel Fry, and Paul Walter Hauser.

‘Cruella’ is set to premiere in Malaysian cinemas on 27 May 2021.