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Cruella (2021)
Movie Script

(SOFT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)

(WOMAN SCREAMING)
- (WOMAN GROANING)
- (BABY CRYING)
CRUELLA: Oh, no.
We're starting here? Okay.
From the very beginning
I've always made a statement.
Not everyone appreciated that.
That's unfortunate.
CRUELLA: But I wasn't for everyone.
Speaking of statements, here's one.
That necklace is the reason I'm dead.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
From an early age,
I realized I saw the world
differently than everyone else.
Look!
Well, that's not the pattern.
You have to follow the pattern.
There's a way of doing things.
- That's ugly.
- CRUELLA: Including my mother.
That's cruel.
Your name's Estella, not Cruella.
(GASPS)
CRUELLA: It wasn't her I was challenging,
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it was the world.

But of course my mother knew that.
That's what worried her.
Remember, you belong here
as much as anyone.
They're lucky to have you.
Agreed.
Hey. What do you say to Cruella
when she tries to get the better of you?
Thank you for coming, but you may go now.
Good. Now say goodbye to her.
Goodbye, Cruella.
And wear the hat.
I don't need the hat.
Well, be polite. And good.
And friendly.
(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
CRUELLA: How does the saying go?
"I am woman. Hear me roar."
Well, that wasn't much
of a thing back in 1964,
but it was about to be.
Hi, my name's Estella.
Look. A skunk's got loose in the building.
BOY: Nice jacket.
Hi, I'm Anita.
Estella.
Ignore them.
Just did. But it might not last.
(BOYS LAUGHING)
CRUELLA: "Ignore them"?
Didn't I just say, "Hear me roar"?
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STUDENTS: (CHANTING)
Fight! Fight! Fight!
CRUELLA: That didn't sit well
with some people.
This is a blot on your copybook.
CRUELLA: Okay, that didn't
sit well with a lot of people.
(STUDENTS LAUGHING)
Enough.
She deserved it!
CRUELLA: But I found friends
in unlikely places.
ESTELLA: Hello.
Like this guy.
There's a dog?
Buddy. I found him.
CRUELLA: And not this guy.
Her. Anita Darling.
What a fabulous name.
- (STUDENTS LAUGHING)
- (GASPS)
(ROCK MUSIC CONTINUES)
You could say
I pretty much roared my way
through all of primary school.
(SCHOOL BELL RINGING)
Almost.
Well, I think it's clear what happens now.
Estella, you are expelled...
I'm withdrawing her from your school.
I'm expelling her.
It's too late because
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I withdrew her first,

so that can't be on her record.
I'd said expelled. I'd already said it.
Hadn't.
Didn't.
And might I say, your school
seems to turn out horrible children
with no creativity or compassion.
Or genius.
You're out. (SCOFFING)
(LOUDLY) Out!
CRUELLA: Being a genius is one thing.
Raising a genius, however,
does come with its challenges.
London, here we come!
Well, we don't really have a choice.
You have no school.
It's nothing to celebrate.
(SIGHS) Well...
Can't be a fashion designer
in a small town anyway.
Can we go here?
Regent's Park? Perfect.
When we get to the city,
first thing we'll do,
we'll go to the fountain,
and we'll have a cup of tea
and we'll start planning
how to make this London thing work.
Why are you in your best dress?
I need to make a stop
on our way to the city.
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Just ask a friend for a little help

to get us on our feet.
What friend?
Well, a friend because
of the situation that we're in.
I'll be less trouble from now on, Mum.
I promise.
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
CRUELLA: I meant it when I said it.
When a girl like me
makes a promise like that,
you don't take her to a place like this.
(UPBEAT MUSIC CONTINUES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
What is this place?
(MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING FAINTLY)
Wear it. It looks good.
Looks better without, I think.
Be yours one day.
It's a family heirloom.
- Will you mind it for me?
- Really?
Come on, Buddy.
Uh, Estella.
Serious voice.
Stay in the car. I won't be long.
Mum!
I need you to lie low.
Lie low while wearing a hat?
Exactly. Love you.
Love you more.
- (SIGHS)