Cruella - Characters & Cast

Her primary motivation is to avenge the death of her adoptive mother, Catherine, and reclaim her birthright from her tyrannical biological mother, the Baroness. She is driven by a desire to make a name for herself in the fashion world and to dismantle the oppressive establishment personified by the Baroness.

Estella begins as a creative but suppressed young woman, trying to adhere to the 'be good' mantra of her adoptive mother. After discovering the truth about her past and the Baroness's cruelty, she allows her darker, more assertive persona, Cruella, to take over. Initially an act for revenge, the Cruella persona eventually becomes her dominant identity. She transitions from a sympathetic orphan to a formidable, theatrical, and morally ambiguous figure who embraces her 'madness' to achieve her goals, ultimately 'killing' her Estella identity to be reborn as Cruella.

The Baroness is motivated by an insatiable need for control, success, and the spotlight. She sees everyone, including her own daughter, as either a tool to be used or an obstacle to be eliminated. Her core drive is to maintain her position as the undisputed queen of fashion at any cost.

The Baroness is a static character who remains consistently narcissistic, ruthless, and devoid of empathy throughout the film. She serves as a dark mirror to what Cruella could become if she let her ambition completely consume her humanity. Her arc is one of downfall; she begins at the pinnacle of the fashion world and ends up imprisoned, defeated by the very daughter she discarded.

Jasper is motivated by his deep-seated loyalty and affection for Estella, his found family. He wants to protect her and their way of life. While he enjoys their heists, his primary concern is the well-being of his friends, especially as Cruella's plans become more dangerous and her personality more abrasive.

Jasper evolves from a simple thief and Estella's partner-in-crime to the moral compass of the group. He is the more thoughtful and caring of the duo with Horace. As Estella's transformation into Cruella intensifies, Jasper grows concerned and pushes back against her cruelty, reminding her of the person she used to be. Though their friendship is strained, his loyalty ultimately wins out, and he remains by her side, albeit with a more cautious and mature perspective.

Horace is motivated by simple desires: companionship, security, and a good meal. He is loyal to Jasper and Estella because they are his family. He goes along with Cruella's increasingly elaborate schemes out of this loyalty, even when he doesn't fully understand them or is frightened by the consequences.

Horace is primarily a source of comic relief, often bumbling and focused on food. However, he also demonstrates moments of surprising insight and contributes significantly to their heists. His arc is less about personal change and more about his unwavering, if sometimes begrudging, support for Estella/Cruella. He represents the steadfast, less complicated aspect of their found family.

Artie is motivated by a love for art, fashion, and making trouble. He is drawn to Cruella's disruptive energy and talent and is eager to be part of her movement to shake up the stuffy fashion world. His motivation is a shared desire to create and rebel against the mainstream.

Artie is a confident and flamboyant vintage shop owner who immediately recognizes a kindred spirit in Estella. He serves as a consistent ally to Cruella, helping her craft her rebellious public image and execute her fashion-based attacks on the Baroness. He doesn't undergo a significant personal change but rather acts as a catalyst and enabler for Cruella's creative revolution, representing the punk, anti-establishment ethos of the era.