Afi Ruel I watched Disney’s 2021 Cruella a few weeks ago…and my goodness. As a sewist and now designer, I have to say that I was inspired by this rendition of the story. Yes, I know that Cruella is likely a sociopath. But I’ve always been interested in knowing what makes a villain…well, a villain. Similar to Maleficient and Wiked, Cruella delves into the birth, childhood and coming of age years of one Cruella de Vil (also known as *SPOILER ALERT* Estella). In fact, I’ve watched the movie at least 3 times since the first time a few weeks ago and I’d like to share my take on Cruella de Vil and her lessons on life and fashion.
Lesson 1: Study your opponent and NEVER underestimate them. (If you continue reading there are spoilers). Before I delve into this lesson let me give a quick synopsis. Estella is born to a Baron and Baroness. The baroness did not want her and made arrangements to have her killed after giving birth to her while the baron was away. The butler who was charged with this task took pity on Estella and gave her to a kind maid who also worked for the baroness. Long story short, Estella’s mother dies, Estella becomes a brilliant sewist and designer and winds up working for and closely with the baroness. Over time, Estella learns of the baroness’ involvement with her mother’s death and eventually learns that the baroness is her birth mother. Prior to Estella learning the baroness is her birth mother, she becomes enraged when learning that the baroness killed her mother. In that rage, Estella concocts an elaborate plan with her friends to undermine, upstage and eventually uproot the baroness from her #1 spot in the fashion world.
That plan included “guest appearances” from Cruella. But by the time our villain has decided to fully embrace herself as Cruella, she makes a very fatal mistake in underestimating her opponent. Instead of learning everything she needed to know about the baroness to take her down, she wound up focusing on very short-sighted goal of getting her mother’s necklace back. As a result, she lost sight of the fact that if the baroness was a psychopath who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted (i.e., kill a woman who raised HER child) she would stop at nothing to stop Estella/Cruella from ruining her career and reputation. And indeed, Cruella almost dies at the hands of the baroness – except the butler rescues her just in the knick of time.
In the end, Cruella survives the cruel attempt on her life – but only because of the saving grace of the butler, who was always on her side. Perhaps she would have known that and never gotten into a situation that almost cost her her life if she had taken more time to really know her opponent.
If you saw Cruella, what did you think about her interactions with her nemesis? What would you have done differently?
