Starring: Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson, Emma Stone
Some spots never fade, and neither does pure, unfiltered malice. 103 Dalmatians: The Spotted Legacy brings the incomparable Glenn Close back to her most iconic role as the fashion world’s most terrifying and unrepentant icon, Cruella De Vil.
At the age of 79, and after decades spent in a minimum-security correctional facility (which she describes as “architecturally adequate, but utterly devoid of panache”), Cruella is granted parole on “compassionate grounds”—a decision she immediately proves was a terrible mistake. She emerges into a world she barely recognizes, a fashion landscape utterly dominated by sustainable fabrics, ethical sourcing, and, worst of all, vegan leather. To Cruella, “faux is for failures,” and the cruelty-free movement is a personal affront.
Her primary point of contact in this new world is her estranged grand-niece, Estella (Emma Stone), a rising avant-garde designer who has built a successful, if chaotic, career by channeling Cruella’s bold, black-and-white vintage aesthetic while strictly adhering to a sustainable, faux-fur-only philosophy. While Estella idolizes the style, she rejects the cruelty, creating a fascinating tension.
Horrified by the state of modern haute couture, and determined to teach this new generation that true luxury requires a sacrifice, Cruella hatches one final, diabolical scheme. She learns of the existence of the great-great-grand-puppies of Pongo and Perdy—a vibrant, new litter of 103 Dalmatians—and decides to capture them. Her goal: to create her final, definitive magnum opus, a coat so magnificent and notorious she names it The Infinity Coat.
The return of Cruella pulls the original owners, Roger (Jeff Daniels) and Anita Dearly (Joely Richardson), out of their quiet, suburban retirement. Now grandparents and surprisingly savvy veterans of the “Cruella Wars,” they must team up with a new, younger generation of animal-loving heroes to protect the massive new spotted brood.
The film is a stylish, hilarious clash of fashion eras, packed with slapstick traps, spectacular escapes, and dazzling set pieces. As the chase unfolds across London and the European fashion circuit, Cruella finds herself unexpectedly challenged by her own grand-niece, Estella, and confronted by the unwavering goodness of the dogs. The plot takes a surprising turn, hinting at a potential—if highly reluctant—redemption arc, where Cruella must choose between her lifelong obsession and the complex, messy love of family.
103 Dalmatians: The Spotted Legacy is a glamorous, high-stakes comedy that proves that while Cruella is back and more dangerous than ever, the dogs—and their dedicated human family—are absolutely done playing dead.