Verdict: 3.5/5
The 2006 classic ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ remains one of my all-time favourite movies, and revisiting its world nearly two decades later highlights just how well its themes have aged.
The sequel, ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’, leans into that legacy while also trying to say something new about the modern media landscape and for the most part, it succeeds.
Any return to this world depends heavily on its iconic characters and Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt all slip back into their iconic roles with ease. Andy Sachs (Hathaway) remains the idealistic journalist trying to make sure her work matters, while Miranda Priestley (Streep) can still command every room with her razor-sharp presence – though the sequel offers subtle glimpses to who she is beneath her icy exterior.
Nigel (Tucci) and Emily (Blunt) continue to provide much of the film’s charm and humour, grounding the story in the same wit that made the original so memorable. These four characters are undeniably the heart of the film and without them, much of its magic would be lost.
One of the most compelling aspects of the sequel is its exploration of contemporary journalism. The film taps into the increasingly transactional nature of media, where traditional media (like this very paper you are reading) often competes with the need to generate clicks and satisfy advertisers – there were moments when I felt like I was in my own office!
At the end of the first movie, we see Andy give up the high-octane world of Runway Magazine to pursue journalism that she believes matters and now two decades on she is a well-respected journalist.
The sequel sees Andy lured back to Runway, tasked with rehabilitating its image after an ethical misstep which sets the stage for a storyline that feels pulled straight from today’s headlines. Despite her thoughtful, well-crafted writing, Andy’s work “flops” in the eyes of the publication because it doesn’t drive traffic, an observation that lands with sharp relevance in today’s media landscape.
In this day, movie sequels often struggle to justify their existence, but ‘The Devil wears Prada 2’ certainly has found a way to have a moment of its own. It does this by avoiding one of the biggest pitfalls: excessive nostalgia.
While the film acknowledges what fans loved about the first instalment, it doesn’t rely solely on callbacks or fan service. Instead, it presents a story that feels current, using familiar characters to explore how both the fashion industry and media have evolved.
Ultimately, ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ may not eclipse its predecessor, but it stands as an enjoyable, witty, and stylish continuation. It captures enough of the original’s spirit while offering a fresh perspective, making it a sequel that, while not essential, is certainly worthwhile.
See this movie at Penrith Hoyts.
