‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Review: A Runway Show for the Ages

20 years after the original 2006 film, 20th Century Studios returns with The Devil Wears Prada 2, after the original story that took the fashion and movie worlds by storm. Based on a book by Lauren Weisberger, a former assistant inspired by her real-life experiences, The Devil Wears Prada depicts the chaos of working for a demanding editor-in-chief at a major fashion publication. The inspiration for Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), former Vogue editor Anna Wintour, is exactly who people say she is: a transcendent, iconic, nuclear high-priestess in the world of fashion.

The story continues in The Devil Wears Prada 2, where Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci all return for a fierce and dazzling sequel that questions whether fashion journalism, and the people who built the industry into what it became, can survive a new media landscape long after its printing prime. 

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Spotlights the Cutthroat Reality of Modern-Day Journalism

Budget cuts, job layoffs, and artificial intelligence are all challenges the journalism industry faces as the media evolves in the modern era. The Devil Wears Prada 2 brings that topic to the forefront in a way that makes journalists watching the movie go “wait, is this movie about us?” 

The reality check in this film emphasizes the struggles that accomplished journalists like Andy Sachs (Hathaway) and executives like Miranda Priestly face once the ultra-rich start dictating how experts should do their jobs, and how companies can fall apart under the weight of current-day capitalism. Disaster can strike regardless of the amount of intelligent people, as well as hard work and dedication, that go into producing a successful publication. Or, in the case of The Devil Wears Prada 2, who should run a high-end fashion magazine and make it worthwhile? 

With it being 20 years since we last saw these characters, the film successfully puts into perspective how much the journalism industry has changed since the mid-2000s. Particularly, the shift to digital media for advertising, and how journalism went from real human journalists taking days to chase stories and ask questions, to people simply prompting artificial intelligence to generate a response about what’s happening in the world at the snap of a finger. This is showcased as Andy Sachs and Miranda Priestly develop in the industry, both constantly undermined by those in charge who undervalue their skill sets.

Writer Alice Brosch McKenna does an incredible job highlighting these struggles in this film, because without emphasizing real perspectives and research from the journalists like Andy and the architects like Miranda who’ve built the journalism industry as it is today, the success stories of real fashion magazines like Vogue wouldn’t have lasted as long as they have. It’s important to have stories that highlight the downfall of modern-day media, as misinformation continues to spread faster every day. The Devil Wears Prada 2 tells a captivating story, all while highlighting real-world issues in the field.

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep Put On an Exquisite Show

A runway show can’t go on without an ensemble, and the cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2 is what keeps this movie going from beginning to end. The original quartet of Streep, Hathaway, Blunt, and Tucci all jump back into their respective roles as if they never left the set of the 2006 film. Each character brings back the charm, sass, and smarts to their respective roles, highlighted by the scenes when they’re all together. 

Hathaway in particular excels in her role as Andrea “Andy” Sachs. Andy’s new career as a journalist puts her in a position to emphasize why journalism matters in a world driven by misinformation and to highlight the talented individuals who produce authentic work. Hathaway gives an incredible performance as Andy fiercely navigates the new landscape. On the other side of the coin, as Miranda navigates the new reality of the fashion world and digital media, Streep is unafraid to make a statement, proving that while speed and trends should be embraced, the experience and legacy of those who spent decades shaping an industry shouldn’t go unnoticed. While the entire cast is great, these two are the heart and soul of Devil Wears Prada 2.

New additions to the franchise, like Bridgerton alum Simone Ashley and Oscar-winner Kenneth Branagh, are a delight. Both provide performances that seamlessly match the charm, energy, and chemistry of the original cast. The film’s many celebrity cameos are also an added treat, fitting into the real reality of the entertainment and fashion world we’re currently living in. 

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Proves Waiting 20 Years Was the Right Move

As the original movie follows an assistant navigating life while working for an egomaniacal boss, The Devil Wears Prada 2 shifts to the two of them teaming up to protect what made their magazine a pillar of the fashion world. The film shows that the reality of working in journalism is no joke, and that it takes guts to prove why authenticity and ethics matter in an era where those values become less prioritized by the day. The movie’s message is sure to resonate with those in any type of creative field.

With a captivating ensemble exploring the evolution of fashion and journalism in the digital era, The Devil Wears Prada 2 proves itself to be a runway show well worth the wait. 

The Devil Wears Prada 2 hits theatres everywhere on May 1. Stay tuned to Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.