The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada: Fashion, Power, and the Cost of Success

The Devil Wears Prada, released in 2006 and directed by David Frankel, is a stylish and biting comedy drama set in the high-stakes world of fashion. With a blend of satire and sincerity, the film explores ambition, identity, and the blurry line between personal integrity and professional success. Based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger, it has become an iconic look at life inside the glossy yet unforgiving walls of a top fashion magazine.

Anne Hathaway stars as Andy Sachs, an aspiring journalist who lands a job as the second assistant to Miranda Priestly, the icy editor-in-chief of Runway magazine. Played by Meryl Streep with unforgettable precision and restrained power, Miranda is a woman who commands respect and fear in equal measure. She speaks softly but carries the full weight of an industry in her gaze.

At first, Andy is dismissive of fashion and the people who take it seriously. She sees her job as temporary and believes her intelligence will keep her grounded. But as the demands increase and her sense of self begins to shift, she finds herself dressing the part, speaking the language, and climbing the ladder she once mocked.

The film is not just about clothes, though the fashion is dazzling and meticulously curated. It is about power—how it is wielded, how it is earned, and how it changes those who seek it. It also poses a subtle question: Is it possible to succeed in a cutthroat world without becoming cutthroat yourself?

Meryl Streep delivers a performance that is both fierce and deeply human. She avoids caricature, instead presenting Miranda as a woman shaped by decades of sacrifice and excellence. Hathaway brings heart and relatability to Andy, making her transformation feel authentic rather than artificial.

Supporting roles from Emily Blunt as the sharp-tongued first assistant and Stanley Tucci as the insightful art director add both humor and depth. Their characters remind Andy—and the audience—that behind the glamour are real people with real costs.

The Devil Wears Prada is as entertaining as it is thoughtful. It sparkles with wit and elegance while quietly asking viewers what they are willing to trade for success. It remains a modern classic not just for its fashion, but for its honesty.