The Devil Wears Prada
The brief
Meryl Streep weaponizes whispered commands and withering glances as fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly, turning what could have been a generic workplace comedy into something sharper and more acidic. Anne Hathaway holds her own as the wide-eyed assistant gradually seduced by luxury, while Emily Blunt steals scenes as the neurotic senior assistant surviving on ice cubes and anxiety. The film moves with the frantic energy of a high-pressure office, glamorous on the surface but ruthlessly calculating underneath. Perfect for anyone who loved the workplace dynamics in Mad Men or enjoys watching power games play out in designer clothing.
The verdict
If you enjoy sharp workplace satire with powerhouse performances and have an appetite for fashion industry glamour mixed with cutting commentary on ambition, this is essential viewing. If you prefer faster-paced entertainment or aren't interested in character studies about professional compromise, you'll find it slow and overly focused on privileged problems.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for friends who love fashion or workplace drama
- 👫 Great date night for couples who enjoy witty dialogue
- ⚠️ Avoid with those sensitive to workplace bullying
Heads up
- Workplace psychological manipulation and verbal abuse (frequent)
- Body image pressure and disordered eating behaviors (moderate)
- Emotional manipulation in relationships (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- David Frankel
- Cast
- Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker, Adrian Grenier, Tracie Thoms
Official synopsis
A young woman from the Midwest gets more than she bargained for when she moves to New York to become a writer
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with To Die For (1995)
Both explore ambitious women navigating ruthless media worlds with dark consequences.
Total runtime: 1h 49m + 1h 46m = 3h 35m
