The first reactions for Disney’s Cruella, starring Emma Stone as the 101 Dalmatians villain, are officially in.
Critics took to social media to praise the film, an origin story set prior to the 1961 animated original, as Disney’s best live action adaptation of an animated classic yet.
They’ve also suggested that the film, which releases May 28 in theaters and on Disney+, contains Disney’s first prominent out gay character.
The film follows Cruella’s journey from aspiring fashion designer Estella de Vil into the infamous dog-napper and dangerous criminal. Emma Thompson costars as Baroness von Hellman, the head of a prestigious fashion house who plays a pivotal role in Estella’s transformation.
Specific praise for Cruella was directed at Emma Stone’s “wildly entertaining” performance and the “amazing costumes.” Critics also praised Thompson, with many drawing parallels between Cruella and The Devil Wears Prada.
#Cruella is one of Disney’s strongest live-action remakes that gives an updated origin story for a new age whilst showcasing breathtaking fashion.
Emma Stone is wildly entertaining in the titular role as she fully commits to the villain persona in a fearless & bold performance. pic.twitter.com/cK583U6Ow5
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 14, 2021
#Cruella is a wickedly fun watch w/ amazing costumes & an epic soundtrack. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are exceptionally evil & hilarious, and they make the movie memorable. Also, Paul Walter Hauser steals scenes, as he tends to do. It’s like a Disneyfied DEVIL WEARS PRADA pic.twitter.com/dUSjlVlgsu
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) May 14, 2021
Grace Randolph, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, took to Twitter to shower praise upon the film, adding that Cruella has “the [fist] officially out and proud Disney character in her gang.”
She added: “It’s the character played by John McCrea — he has several scenes and plays a very important role, including saving another character!”
It’s the character played by John McCrea – he has several scenes and plays a very important role, including saving another character! pic.twitter.com/zC1vMUngIT
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) May 14, 2021
Although 2017’s Beauty and the Beast featured a lightly coded gay character in the form of LeFou, Randolph’s tweet seems to point to a much more out and proud depiction in Cruella.
Disney’s first prominent live action gay character was expected to be the fantasy adventure film Jungle Cruise, based on Disney’s theme park attraction.
Straight comedian Jack Whitehall stars as a “hugely effete, very camp” gay man, but the film has been repeatedly delayed since its original 2019 release date. It’s currently scheduled for release on July 30 this year.
Until the Cruella review embargo lifts on May 26th, the sexuality of McCrea’s character will go unconfirmed. But in the meantime, viewers hopeful for more prominent gay representation from Disney’s live action efforts should remain cautiously optimistic.
Related:
Disney star Joshua Bassett comes out as LGBTQ
Disney’s ‘Proud Family’ revival features gay couple voiced by Billy Porter and Zachary Quinto
Disney Parks employees can have “gender-inclusive hairstyles” in new inclusive dress code
Read More:
Billy Porter reveals he’s been living with HIV for 14 years
Demi Lovato comes out as nonbinary, changes pronouns to they/them
Tennessee governor bans transgender youth from accessing gender-affirming medical care
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member’s Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
