20 years ago, a random Friday night trip to the movie theater turned into one of the best theatrical experiences of 2006. A film I wasn’t fully excited for, The Devil Wears Prada, quickly became one of my favorite comedies of the decade and featured, in my opinion, one of the greatest performances in the career of the legendary Meryl Streep, which is saying a lot.
The film explored powerful themes about how ambition can reshape identity. As Andy grows, she slowly loses sight of who she once was, raising a compelling question: how much are you willing to trade for success? It’s a question Miranda has long since answered, at the cost of her relationships and personal life. Ultimately, it’s a story that isn’t just about fashion; it’s about who you become in the pursuit of success, and whether that version of yourself is truly worth it.
Which brings us to The Devil Wears Prada 2, a follow-up to a film that, quite frankly, didn’t need one. But in an era where legacy sequels are the trend, the real question becomes: can it justify its return, or is it just another trip back to Runway that doesn’t quite fit anymore? The Devil Wears Prada 2 not only justifies its return but rewards longtime fans with a funny, heartfelt ride through nostalgia, while also taking a surprisingly sharp look at the declining state of consumer print media and what comes next.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 brings Andy Sachs back into the world of Runway just as Miranda Priestly is forced to confront a rapidly changing media landscape that threatens everything she’s built. Reuniting with Miranda and Nigel, Andy must now navigate the realities of an industry shifting beneath her. Enter Emily, no longer the overworked assistant, but a major player in luxury fashion, who may hold the key to Runway’s future.
Reuniting director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, The Devil Wears Prada 2 delivers a screenplay that feels deeply connected to these beloved characters. While it leans into nostalgia, Brosh McKenna also has something timely to say. Where the original explored identity, this sequel sharpens its focus on the “print is dead” reality with striking clarity. In a world where journalists and critics continue to lose access and job security, the film becomes a reflection on the fight to preserve journalistic integrity, championing the value of thoughtful writing over the endless doomscroll landscape we’ve grown accustomed to.
Similar to the first film, David Frankel’s direction remains steady, taking a character-first approach that allows the performances to take center stage. He understands the film’s strengths, keeping the pacing sharp and the world of Runway feeling fast-paced and polished.
That said, his direction can feel a bit safe. Visually, the film rarely pushes beyond conventional framing, which feels ironic given the bold, stylized world it inhabits. Despite the high-fashion backdrop, Frankel’s choices often come across as restrained, at times even work-for-hire, never fully matching the visual dynamism the setting seems to demand.
There’s no denying the biggest selling point of The Devil Wears Prada 2 is the return of Academy Award winners Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, alongside nominees Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. Thankfully, that promise more than delivers, with the quartet slipping back into their roles effortlessly. It feels less like a reunion and more like picking up right where we left off. Hathaway recaptures Andy’s charm, Tucci once again makes Nigel the kind of person you’d trust with your entire wardrobe, Blunt’s Emily remains a comedic force, and Streep’s Miranda continues to dominate with razor-sharp, deliciously delivered one-liners.
In the end, The Devil Wears Prada 2 succeeds where many legacy sequels stumble; it finds a reason to exist beyond nostalgia. While it doesn’t always match the visual boldness its high-fashion world demands and occasionally plays things a bit too safe, its sharp performances, timely themes, and genuine affection for these characters carry it across the finish line. More importantly, it understands what made the original resonate in the first place, while updating its message for a new era. It may not fully reinvent the brand, but it doesn’t need to, as this is a confident, entertaining return to Runway that proves there’s still life and purpose left in these heels.
