Story & Setup
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a master class in sequels. While fans have been begging for the return to Runway, the story of waiting 20 years is exactly what was needed. The film is a sequel built on patience, not nostalgia bait, and that restraint pays off.
When we last saw Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), she walked away from Runway. Tossing her phone wasn’t just a dramatic exit; it was her choosing herself over the grind. The ending was quiet, grounded in self-respect instead of spectacle, and that’s exactly what gives the sequel its edge.
Two decades later, Andy is a successful journalist, until the ground shifts beneath her. Downsizing hits her publication just as she’s receiving an award for her work, forcing her into an uncertain next chapter. Her friendship with Lily (Tracie Thoms) remains intact, grounding the story in something real while everything else begins to unravel.
On the other side of things, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep, still terrifying in the best way) is dealing with something she’s never really had to face before: Cancellation. A feature tied to a shady fast-fashion brand blows up in Runway’s face, and suddenly the magazine’s untouchable reputation isn’t so untouchable anymore.
That fallout cracks open an unexpected door for Andy. She ends up back at Runway, but not as the overwhelmed assistant we met before. This time she walks in as a (mostly) confident journalist who’s seen the machine from the inside and knows exactly how sharp its edges can be.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2: A SEQUEL THAT EVOLVES INSTEAD OF REPEATS
The 20-year gap in “The Devil Wears Prada 2” is central to the film’s success. Everyone has changed, and the script embraces this development rather than ignoring it, which further strengthens the story.
While Miranda hasn’t lost her edge, she is making some adjustments. Her sharp demeanor remains intact and equally hilarious, even as you see her making an effort to adapt. For example, she now hangs up her own coat. Additionally, Miranda’s personal life reflects this transformation. She is now in a relationship with a new partner, played by Kenneth Branagh, who doesn’t resent her ambition or try to shrink it, but actually stands beside it and supports it.
Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly originally earned her an Academy Award nomination; this time, she might just win it!
Nigel Kipling (Stanley Tucci) remains the soul of Runway, still balancing taste, loyalty, and survival in an industry that rarely rewards all three. Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt) has leveled up into a power player of her own, now running Dior Retail while juggling motherhood and a high-society relationship.
Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly originally earned her an Academy Award nomination; this time, she might just win it!
Verdict: As a sequel, it’s confident, smart, and genuinely fun to watch
Each and every actor seamlessly slips back into their roles, not as merely recycled versions of themselves, but as fully developed humans with added layers to their performances. Their experiences have transformed them, and the film wisely embraces this evolution, with dialogue that remains sharp, witty, and stylishly confrontational, now also infused with deeper reflection.
While I loved The Devil Wears Prada 2, the romantic subplot for Andy didn’t really need to be there. It’s the one bit that felt shoehorned in because there had to be a love story, but without it, the story stays the same and is even stronger.
That said, the rest of it absolutely delivers. As a sequel, it’s confident, smart, and genuinely fun to watch. Even with that one detour, it’s still a return to Runway worth celebrating.
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