The September Issue

The September Issue

movie

PG-13, 2009, Documentary

WISE
65%

WISE Score

83

Avg. Tomatometer

Fly-on-the-wall doc following Anna Wintour prepping Vogue's biggest issue—for teens who think The Devil Wears Prada was a documentary.

IMDb7
RT Critics83%
MC69
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: this is a well-made documentary about a very specific world. If your teen is into fashion, dreams of working in media, or loved The Devil Wears Prada, they'll find this fascinating. Grace Coddington alone is worth the watch—she's the artistic soul fighting to make beautiful things in a commercial machine.

But let's be real: for most kids, this will be deadly boring. It's a 90-minute documentary about making a magazine in 2007. The pacing is slow, the subject matter is niche, and the whole thing feels like a time capsule from before Instagram ate the fashion industry's lunch.

The WISE scores are decent—it's safe, shows real creative process, models professional persistence. But the overall score reflects reality: this is for a very specific audience. Common Sense Media says 13+, which feels right, but honestly even most 13-year-olds won't make it through unless they're already fashion-obsessed.

If your kid is that kid? Great watch. Everyone else? Skip it.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13+ who have genuine interest in fashion, media, or creative industries. Younger teens will likely find it slow and boring unless they're already reading Vogue. Adults who enjoy industry documentaries will appreciate it more.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
72

Behind-the-scenes documentary showing high-pressure fashion world with professional workplace dynamics. Anna Wintour comes across as demanding but not cruel; creative director Grace Coddington provides warmth and artistic passion. Shows real workplace tension without manufactured drama. Some elitism and superficiality inherent to the subject matter, but also genuine dedication to craft.

Imaginative
68

Offers fascinating peek into creative process of building a magazine from concept to print. Grace Coddington's photoshoot planning and artistic vision are genuinely inspiring. However, the documentary itself is fairly straightforward in execution—competent but not groundbreaking in its filmmaking approach. More observational than innovative.

Safe
88

Very safe documentary—no violence, gore, sexual content, or disturbing imagery. Fashion shoots show models in high-fashion clothing but nothing inappropriate. Some workplace stress and tense conversations, but nothing traumatic. Biggest 'concern' is that it normalizes an industry built on appearance and exclusivity, but that's the subject matter, not a content warning.

Enriching
74

Genuinely educational about magazine production, creative collaboration, and what it takes to execute a vision at the highest level. Shows real work ethic, artistic compromise, and the tension between commerce and art. Grace Coddington is a master class in fighting for your creative vision. But it's also about fashion—inherently somewhat superficial subject matter. Still, the craft and dedication on display have real value.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Grace Coddington is the real star—watching her fight for artistic vision against commercial pressure is genuinely moving
  • Rare glimpse into high-stakes creative process and what it takes to execute at elite level
  • Shows real workplace dynamics: compromise, collaboration, standing your ground professionally
  • Anna Wintour is less monster, more complex professional—humanizing without being puff piece
  • Good for teens interested in fashion, journalism, media, or creative careers
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What to Watch For

  • Extremely niche subject matter—most kids will find this boring unless they're already into fashion
  • 2007 footage and references feel dated; pre-smartphone era may seem ancient to Gen Z
  • Normalizes industry built on appearance, thinness, and exclusivity without much critique
  • Slow pacing typical of observational documentaries—no manufactured reality TV drama

Conversation Starters

  • "Grace keeps pushing back on Anna's decisions—when is it worth fighting for your ideas at work or school?"
  • "The magazine took months of work by hundreds of people. How does that compare to how we consume media now?"
  • "Do you think Anna Wintour is a good boss? What makes someone effective vs. just demanding?"
  • "Fashion magazines are struggling now—why do you think that industry has changed so much?"

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