While Disney is typically known for its family-friendly content that appeals to audiences of all ages, initial trailers and clips for Cruella suggested a darker tone for the iconic villain's origin story. The live-action film, which stars Emma Stone as the titular character, has received a PG-13 rating, all but assuring the movie will have some mature moments.
It's not the first time a Disney movie has received a PG-13 rating, but it's always notable when the House of Mouse steps out of its usual comfort zone. After all, Mulan was also rated PG-13; although, that was a movie that literally involved war.
The MPAA specifically mentions "some violence and thematic elements" in its reason for the PG-13 which, again, if you've seen the trailers shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. Stone's performance in Cruella has given off some serious Harley Quinn vibes, and the comparisons will likely be accentuated by the rating.
The intriguing origin story follows a young grifter named Estella (Stone) who believes she was meant for much more in the world. Clever and creative, she is determined to make a name for herself with her designs. But as we've seen in the initial trailers, Estella begins to spiral into madness and transform into the Cruella De Vil we've long known her has.
Disney's Cruella is currently slated to hit theaters on May 28, 2021. There's no word on if it will hit the Disney+ streaming service simultaneously.