Cruella

Cruella

Year: 2021

Runtime: 134 min

Language: English

Director: Craig Gillespie

ActionThrillerComedyRomanceCrimeFamily

During the punk rock era in 1970s London, a young and ambitious con artist named Estella crosses paths with two resourceful thieves. Her unique sense of style attracts the attention of the mysterious Baroness von Hellman. This encounter sparks a series of events that reveal Estella's darker side and ultimately lead to her transformation into the infamous Cruella, a character known for her outrageous fashion and desire for revenge.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Cruella (2021) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Cruella (2021), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Estella, born in 1950s England with a striking dual-colored hair due to a rare condition known as poliosis, finds herself on a journey marked by creativity and tragedy. At just 12 years old, she faces ridicule at school for her unique hair and rebellious spirit. Her mother, Catherine (Emily Beecham), recognizes Estella’s potential and love for fashion, along with her fondness for a stray dog named Buddy. Seeking a fresh start, they relocate to London.

During a party thrown by Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson), Catherine leaves Estella in the car but, in a turn of fate, Estella chases after Buddy. This leads her to witness Catherine being tragically pushed by the Baroness’s aggressive Dalmatians, ultimately resulting in her death. Believing she is responsible, Estella takes Buddy and escapes into the city, unfortunately losing her mother’s cherished necklace in the process. There, she encounters two street kids, Jasper (Joel Fry) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser), along with their one-eyed dog Wink, who bring her into their fold as she changes her hair color to red.

Fast forward to 1974, Estella has grown into an adult, continuing her petty crimes alongside Jasper and Horace to survive while cultivating her passion for fashion design. When she celebrates her 22nd birthday, Jasper and Horace manage to get her a janitorial position at a prominent fashion store, but her artistic ideas are soon disregarded. A late-night shift leads to an encounter with the Baroness, who takes notice of Estella’s creative flair after a spontaneous window display makeover and invites her to join her prestigious team of designers.

As Estella’s career blossoms under the Baroness’s mentorship, she befriends Artie (John McCrea), a vintage clothing shop owner whose taste inspires Estella further. However, when Estella spots her mother’s necklace on the Baroness, she is enraged and teams up with Jasper and Horace for a heist to reclaim it. Donning her natural color and adopting the alter ego Cruella, she disrupts the Baroness’s event to execute her plan while unearthing dark memories, realizing that the Baroness had a hand in her mother’s downfall.

Cruella’s antics intensify as she steps up her revenge, flaunting eccentric outfits to mock the Baroness. She enlists the help of her childhood friend Anita Darling (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) to amplify her presence in the media. Tensions rise when the Baroness’s attorney Roger (Kayvan Novak) is dismissed and returns to his music career.

As Cruella’s schemes escalate, she continues to snatch the Baroness’s Dalmatians, with one ultimately revealing the location of the lost necklace. The rivalry culminates in a dramatic showdown at a fashion show in Regent’s Park, where the Baroness finally catches on to Cruella’s true identity. Captured and tied up, Estella orchestrates a fiery escape, leading to a tragic fall for Jasper and Horace who are wrongfully imprisoned.

Just when hope seems lost, John (Mark Strong), the Baroness’s valet, steps in, revealing shocking truths about Estella’s lineage. She learns that she is the Baroness’s daughter, a revelation that fuels her thirst for vengeance against the woman who denied her the love of her true family. Armed with this knowledge, Estella fully embraces her Cruella persona, planning a final operation to topple the Baroness.

In a spectacular confrontation at a lavish party, Cruella brings the truth to light as she confronts the Baroness, leading to a dramatic push that results in the Baroness’s arrest, further aided by strategic planning from Jasper, Horace, and Artie. After utilizing a parachute to ensure her daring escape, Estella solidifies her status as the iconic Cruella de Vil, taking possession of Hellman Hall to establish her domain.

In a cheeky mid-credits moment, Cruella delivers two Dalmatian puppies, Pongo and Perdita, to Roger and Anita, hinting at the beloved tale of ‘101 Dalmatians,’ with Roger composing a tribute song, “Cruella de Vil,” in her honor.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 11:32

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Cruella?

Still wondering what the ending of Cruella (2021) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

In the end, it’s revealed that Estella, who later becomes Cruella, is actually the daughter of Baroness von Hellman, a wealthy fashion designer. Her true origins are uncovered when she finds her mother’s necklace, which leads her to discover that Baroness was responsible for her mother’s tragic death. The necklace also held the key to a hidden box containing the truth about her lineage. It turns out that Baroness wanted to kill her as a baby to secure her inheritance and had her caretaker, John, save her and hide her away. This revelation fuels Estella’s desire for revenge, transforming her into Cruella de Vil.

The climax reaches its peak at a charity event, where Baroness attempts to kill Estella by pushing her off a cliff—mirroring her mother’s death. However, Estella survives by using a dress turned into a parachute. Although everyone believes she’s dead, she orchestrates her comeback, taking control of her inheritance and her destiny. Before dying, Baroness is arrested, and Cruella inherits her fortune, establishing herself as the villain we know from the original stories.

The ending also hints at her future connections to the classic “101 Dalmatians” universe through the gift of two Dalmatian puppies named Pongo and Perdita, linking her story to the original novel. The scene where a Dalmatian swallows her necklace humorously references Cruella’s infamous hatred for Dalmatians. Overall, the film’s conclusion ties her tragic past to her ultimate transformation into the iconic, devilish Cruella de Vil.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00

Unlock the Full Story of Cruella

Don't stop at just watching — explore Cruella in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Cruella is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Cruella Timeline

Track the full timeline of Cruella with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Cruella Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cruella

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Cruella. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cruella

Cruella Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Cruella? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Cruella Ending Explained

More About Cruella

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Cruella: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Cruella

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