The story begins with Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), a humble, aspiring journalist, who settles for a receptionist job at the fashion magazine, Runway, where she learns harsh lessons about herself and the people around her.
During the film’s runtime, we see how the world of fashion changes Andy. Her employer, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), pushes her relentlessly — almost to a fault. Working under the tyrannical Miranda takes a toll, but Andy convinces herself it’s worth it: she gets to flirt with different parts of the fashion world — clothes, events, even people — and she doesn’t have to commit to anything except her boss’ vision. Andy gets to explore the world of couture and her sense of self evolves. I’ll admit, each time I watch this movie, I find myself getting annoyed at Andy. But honestly? I also empathize with her. Is the real betrayal how everyone judges her? Sure, some of her work may seem superficial, but Andy’s simply exposing herself to new experiences. The devil may tempt her with couture and Paris, but the people who claim to love her are the ones insisting she stay exactly where she started.
Setting and aesthetics play a major role in shaping the film, but what remains most compelling is the iconic cast.
The characters make the film what it is. Andy and Miranda’s tense dynamic propels the plot, while other characters provide dimensions to the fashion industry — Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), whose haughtiness is almost admirable, and Nigel (Stanley Tucci), who is unexpectedly laid-back for a man who dresses half of Manhattan.
David Frankel’s film can serve as a cautionary tale about those getting wrapped up in an illusory world of glamour. The film provides an insight into human malleability based on one’s circumstances. Where our protagonist was once complaining about her toxic workplace, she undergoes the quintessential 2000s makeover to fit in and begins defending her boss, who is loosely-inspired by Anna Wintour.
The film doesn’t merely depict the high-end fashion industry, it often feels like a love letter to the labour behind it. Despite several comments about size zero being the ultimate body type — lines that, without fail, make my eyes roll — the film takes care of how it presents the hectic, yet beautiful work of fashion itself.
Sure, Miranda seems like an awful boss to have, but her cerulean monologue shines a light on her keen knowledge of the fashion world. Clothes and accessories aren’t something we just put on, they present something about ourselves to the world. While Miranda’s monologue humiliates Andy for her unseemly behaviour, it also relays a truth about fashion’s cultural prevalence and power whether we want to admit it or not.
Another aspect of the film that’s handled with care is that no matter who seems to be the villain or hero, it’s never as simple as that. Each character is complex, driven by a variety of motivations: some are so ambitious that they knock others down, like Emily, and some want to forge their own paths in life, but succumb to the pressures of their work, like Andy.
Emily is barely helpful and she judges Andy throughout the film, yet when we see her excitement about wanting to go to Paris — the trip she’s earned through years of work — we can’t not root for her.
Even Miranda’s circumstances tug at our heartstrings. She may be presented as coldhearted, but beneath the icy exterior is ultimately a woman who loves her family and struggles as her demanding work pulls her away from them.
The hustle and bustle of New York’s fashion scene is overwhelming, yet entertaining. No matter the fact that I know exactly what happens in the plot, I find myself looking forward to each rewatch.
Over the years, as social values and fashion tastes shift, it’s fun for me, as a viewer, to observe and judge for myself the choices characters make — morally and fashion-wise.
If you want to explore the motivations of complex characters, get a taste of New York’s fashion scene, or simply take a trip back to the mid-2000s, The Devil Wears Prada is the movie for you.
If you’re a fan like me, I’m sure you’re anticipating the sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026), which is set to be released on May 1. Who knows what could happen this time — has Miranda softened her edge? Unlikely. Will Andy and Emily finally become friends? I wish. We need to know, and soon we will!
