John is a supporting character in the 2021 live-action Disney film, Cruella. He was played by Mark Strong. He is the Baroness' former valet and loyal confidante aiding in her schemes.
Background[]
Personality[]
Though John appeared to be loyal to Baroness Von Hellman, he was actually loyal to those of her family name rather than to just the Baroness herself. When the Baroness ordered him to kill her newborn daughter, John did not wish to inflict harm on the baby and instead gave her to his friend and coworker, Catherine, so Estella could grow up safe from her mother. He was also devastated over Baron Von Hellman's death, knowing he was a good man, unlike his wife, who was a wicked narcissist. Upon discovering Estella's true identity, John willingly switched allegiances to help Estella reclaim her birthright and expose the Baroness' true colors to public as he did not want to serve the Baroness due to knowing the kind of woman she was.
Appearances[]
Cruella[]
John is the dedicated valet of Baroness Von Hellman, who notices Estella when she comes to work for House of Baroness. He proves himself to be a doting valet and more of a personal assistant to the Baroness, doing her bidding to an extent. When the Baroness attempts to murder Estella, who has been donning the name Cruella and upstaging her at every turn, John valiantly saves Cruella, Wink, and Buddy from the fire. He takes them to his home to recover. He explains that he overheard Estella tell the Baroness of Catherine Miller's murder at the Baroness' hand. He shows Estella her mother's necklace, and he finds it as they leave the burning building. He reveals that it has a secret key that fits into a box containing Estella’s birth records. He reveals that Estella is the Baroness' daughter.
Baroness was narcissistic and angry at her pregnancy as it would shift attention from her. After giving birth, she instructs John to "get rid of" the child. Unable to bring himself to murder a baby, John gives Estella to their sweet maid Catherine, who raises her in secret. Estella returns to John's home with her friends Jasper and Horace, whom she just broke out of prison. He agrees to let them stay in his home, and John quickly becomes the inside man for Cruella as she plots to overthrow the Baroness. As he serves the Baroness, she asks what he thought she meant when she said to "get rid of" the child all those years ago. John admits that he didn't think she meant for him to kill it, to which Baroness snaps back that he is useless and implies his stupidity. A few nights later, Cruella tricks the Baroness into being arrested for "Estella's" murder, inherits the entire Von Hellman fortune, and moves into the newly renamed Hell Hall. John greets her from the fireplace and asks what she plans to do now. She gives a twisted smile as she has a few ideas.
Trivia[]
- John was created solely for Cruella and doesn't have an animated counterpart.
- The character was initially listed as "Boris", but when the movie received its simultaneous release date, his actual name was revealed. The reason behind his original name and why it was changed is unknown.
- He has a similar role with Alonzo as both of them are Cruella's butlers. Unlike Alonzo, John doesn't get any abuse from Cruella.
Gallery[]
.png "Disney's Cruella Official Trailer (22).png (1.32 MB)")
