‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Review: A Stylish and Satisfying Sequel

A lot has changed in the 20 years since The Devil Wears Prada released in theaters, and no, I’m not just referring to fashion trends. Both the magazine and journalism industries have faced increasingly difficult times as technology and social media have stripped them of their importance. It’s here where The Devil Wears Prada 2 forms the basis for its reasoning behind reuniting Meryl Streep’s Miranda with Anne Hathaway’s Andy. The film features all the stereotypical references and callbacks you expect from sequels looking to recapture the magic of the originals, but it also evolves and builds upon the relationships between characters with charm. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is like putting on your favorite article of clothing that’s been hanging in the back of the closet for years only to find that it still fits like a glove. It’s a stylish and satisfying sequel that delivers a delightful dose of nostalgia for fans.

After her newsroom shuts down due to budget cuts, acclaimed journalist Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) finds herself once again walking down the halls of the fashion magazine Runway. She’s been hired to revitalize the struggling magazine following some bad press that Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) failed to realize that one of her features in the magazine was about a brand that runs a sweatshop. With the magazine on the brink of either being sold off or shut down, Miranda must put aside her pride and find trust in Andy if Runway is to survive.

As much as it feels unnecessary for The Devil Wears Prada to have a sequel, it’s charming to see Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and especially Stanley Tucci reunite after all these years. Miranda is still as cold and cutthroat as she was 20 years ago, not even remembering Andy when she walks into her office as the new features editor. Despite becoming a successful and respected journalist, Andy falls back into old fears when she’s around Miranda although she does have a newfound confidence when it comes to things that matter. Emily has changed the most; going from Miranda’s assistant to now a senior executive at Dior. Meanwhile, Miranda’s longtime right hand man Nigel is just as adorable and lovely as ever. If anything, Tucci is the glue that keeps the entire film together but everyone easily slips back into character as if it hasn’t been two decades since we all were last together.

While it’s nice to see these characters again, what makes the film interesting is seeing how much they and the industry has changed. Magazines in general are on the decline as our phone screens have replaced most physical media. Even as I write the review, long form writing is looked over in favor of repetitious video clips on TikTok. Times have clearly changed and rather than trying to only capture the nostalgia of the past, The Devil Wears Prada 2 faces these new challenges head-on. Miranda still represents the old guard with Andy being the lifeline, but even then they both still represent eras that are being pushed out. There’s a conversation between Miranda and the billionaire tech bro, played by Justin Theroux, who is trying to purchase the company where he says that AI will soon be the creator of everything, not just fashion. It’s a serious moment in an otherwise comical film because of how true it rings. AI is already “creating” articles, images, and even movies (if you can call them that). Corporations are laying off employees left and right in favor of data centers. It feels like creativity is a dying breed, and that’s why it’s so easy to root for Runway and even Miranda herself despite how awful a caricature she might be.

With the exception of Nigel and Andy, it can be difficult to see the good in many of these characters. Everyone is so cutthroat and ego driven. Part of that is because of how difficult the industry is, but it’s also just their personalities in general too. 20 years ago it may have seemed more acceptable and funny, but it’s a little harsher and less entertaining in today’s society. It’s fascinating to watch, but I can’t help but think how terrible it would be to actually work in an environment that chaotic. Thankfully the characters do learn and evolve over the course of the film, and there are some truly heartfelt moments by the end.

Fans will without question fall in love again with The Devil Wears Prada 2. It’s a sequel that doesn’t just try and recapture the nostalgia of the original, but refocuses how these characters and the industry have changed with society. The film struts down the walkway with confidence and style and doesn’t look back.