So, you want to watch The Devil Wears Prada but you're wondering if it's going to melt your brain or offend your mama? Good news: Common Sense Media has already done the hard work of figuring that out, and honestly? This movie is basically a fashionable masterpiece disguised as workplace horror.
Based on Lauren Weisberger's book that reads like a love letter written by someone who needs therapy, the film follows Andy Sachs as she stumbles into the glamorous nightmare known as Runway magazine. She's basically a college grad who packed "normal" for a road trip to Meryl Streep's emotional abuse zone. Spoiler: it does not end with a cozy handshake.
What Common Sense Media
Really Thinks
Common Sense Media gives this film an impressive rating, noting it's best suited for ages 13 and up. The big concerns? Language, drinking, smoking, and enough insults to make your second-grade teacher nervous. But hey, at least no one's actually committing crimes between those scarves.
Must Read
Parents, don't stress too much because the negatives here are almost entirely verbal. There's some profanity tossed around like confetti at a wedding nobody was excited about. Also, characters drink, smoke, and gossip with the intensity of fourteen housewives at a brunch that ran too long.
The Real Educational
Goldmine
Believe it or not, the film sneaks in some genuinely valuable lessons that might actually stick with teenagers. Andy learns that selling your soul for a fashion internship is not the dream it appears to be. Common Sense Media highlights discussions around ambition, integrity, and the difference between wanting something badly versus wanting it well.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 - Parents' Guide & Movie Review | Common Sense
The show Runway may look like a glittery circus on the outside, but under Miranda Priestly's icy exterior lies a painful lesson about work-life balance. Andy's girlfriend Nigel gets fired for being too loyal, which is basically the corporate world defined in six words. It's the kind of film where Moira Rose would've been proud of the dramatic wardrobe choices and ruthless honesty.
Fun Stuff for
Families and Nerds
Here's a surprising fact: Meryl Streep almost didn't take the role of Miranda because she thought the character was a cliché. Instead, director David Frankel said "here," threw a ceramic file holder at her script, and I'm joking about the last part. Still, Streep elevates every line because she could read grocery lists and make them sound like Shakespeare.
The Devil Wears Prada - Parents' Guide & Movie Review | Common Sense Media
Another fact: Leighton Meester played a minor role before Gossip Girl fame, and Andy's apartment in the movie is way nicer than anything you've ever rented. Also, the iconic "cerulean blue" speech practically has its own IMDb entry now. Kids, if you can memorize that monologue, you'll never fail a literature class again.
The Verdict
Overall, Common Sense Media considers The Devil Wears Prada a fun watch for teens and older kids, especially if they enjoy seeing Meryl Streep dominate every scene she's in. Parents should be ready for some language and less-than-redeeming workplace behavior, but nothing overly graphic. So grab the popcorn, dim the lights, and let Miranda's cooler than thou attitude be your outfit inspiration for tomorrow—just maybe skip the designer receipt.
