The Devil Wears Prada 2 review: old icons, new pressures
Two decades after the original fashion-world comedy-drama, The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites Meryl Streep as formidable editor Miranda Priestly, Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton and Stanley Tucci as Nigel. Director David Frankel returns, with Aline Brosh McKenna writing the screenplay. The sequel brings the characters back into a magazine industry facing a very different future.
Story and themes — without major spoilers
The film returns to the offices of Runway, where changing business realities challenge Miranda’s authority and the relevance of traditional fashion publishing. Andy’s return to this world creates an opportunity to revisit questions of ambition, loyalty, personal identity and the price of professional success. The most interesting new tension is not simply whether the characters have changed, but whether their industry still rewards the same ruthless behavior.
What works: cast chemistry and modern relevance
The reunion of Streep, Hathaway, Blunt and Tucci is the sequel’s strongest attraction. Their established character relationships give the film an immediate sense of history, while the lavish wardrobe and glossy production design preserve the appeal of the 2006 movie. The pressure on magazines to adapt to the digital economy also provides a more contemporary foundation than a simple nostalgic reunion would have.
What could have been stronger?
The film faces the familiar problem of a legacy sequel: viewers want the characters and memorable dynamics they remember, yet repetition can limit the story’s freshness. Some critical responses argue that the sequel softens Miranda’s edge and relies too heavily on familiar pleasures. Others find that its look at the media business gives the reunion a reason to exist. The tension between nostalgia and genuine reinvention remains its main weakness.
Critical reception
Rotten Tomatoes reports a broadly favorable critical response, with reviewers especially recognizing the returning performers and polished presentation. Reviews from the British Film Institute and The New Yorker likewise discuss its combination of nostalgia and anxiety about modern media, though they differ on how convincingly those elements fit together.
Verdict: is The Devil Wears Prada 2 worth watching?
Editorial assessment: This sequel is most appealing to fans who want another visit with Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel. It offers star power, sharp visual style and an updated professional setting, but audiences seeking the surprise and bite of the original may find its familiar structure less rewarding. It is a worthwhile choice for viewers who enjoy character-driven workplace comedy-dramas and fashion-centered storytelling.
Film facts: Director David Frankel; cast Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci; genre comedy-drama; theatrical release May 1, 2026; runtime 119 minutes.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes film and critic reviews, BFI Sight and Sound review, and The New Yorker review.