Viewers are comparing Emma Stone’s Cruella De Vil to Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker

‘I wonder if the pitch for the Cruella movie was straight up ‘PG-13 girl Joker,’ wrote one person on social media

Viewers are comparing Disney’s forthcoming film Cruella – starring Emma Stone – to the 2019 blockbuster hit Joker. 

Set in the Seventies, Cruella will explore the life and evolution of the101 Dalmatians character Cruella de Vil as she grows up in London among the punk rock scene and later attempts to find success as a fashion designer working for the Baroness (Emma Thompson). 

The recently released trailer has sparked comparisons between the forthcoming feature and 2019’s Oscar nominee Joker. 

Viewers on Twitter have likened the trailer’s aesthetic to Todd Phillips’s hit movie.

Film critic Karen Han wrote: “The CRUELLA trailer LOOKS nice but also I think sometimes ladies who love fashion should be allowed to remain ladies who love fashion.”

(YouTube / Disney)

“In retrospect we should’ve seen ‘Disney Presents: Emma Stone as The Joker’ coming,” added TV critic Caroline Framke.

“I had no idea CRUELLA lived in the JOKER cinematic universe!” said journalist Josh Horowitz, while someone else wrote: “Cruella in Joker style? I’m here for it.”

“So Cruella is a secret Joker movie huh,” said another person, while a sixth person added: “Emma Stone looks great as Cruella. Also, I am getting female Joker vibes from the trailer.”

Writer Malcolm Harris said: “I wonder if the pitch for the Cruella movie was straight up ‘PG-13 girl Joker’.”

Others were less convinced by the trailer, with another user stating: “So Disney’s making Cruella de Vil is its answer to the Joker. That’s… a take.”

Joker stars Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a party clown who goes on to become the famous DC Comics villain. 

The psychological thriller was applauded for its depiction of an alternative origin story for the famous character, which was notably darker than had previously been seen.

Others also compared Cruella to the DC Comics film Birds of Prey, which focused on the character of Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie).

The film is slated for release on 26 May.