Film Review – The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)

      **The Devil Wears Prada 2, 2026.

      Directed by David Frankel.

      Starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Tracie Thoms, Tibor Feldman, B.J. Novak, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Rachel Bloom, Pauline Chalamet, Conrad Ricamora, Lady Gaga, Kennedy Walsh, Ciara, Marc Jacobs, Calum Harper, Ashley Graham.**

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      As Miranda Priestly approaches her retirement, she reconnects with Andy Sachs to contend with her former assistant turned rival, Emily Charlton. Although the sequel to *The Devil Wears Prada* may seem to have arrived slowly, it brings back Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep in their beloved roles. The film successfully revisits the realm of high fashion, highlighting how both Andy and Miranda have evolved amidst the industry's transition to digital and social media. For a sequel released 20 years after the original, *The Devil Wears Prada 2* swiftly demonstrates its worth with an impressive cast and witty humor for this fresh runway journey.

      Now a thriving journalist, Hathaway’s Andy finds herself unemployed due to a decline in journalistic interest and corporate downsizing. An opportunity arises when she is offered the editorial lead at Runway, which is facing a major scandal. Reuniting with her stern boss Miranda, they must adapt to contemporary challenges to keep Runway thriving.

      It’s evident that Hathaway and Streep are genuinely enjoying themselves, giving the impression that no time has passed between the original and its sequel. They comfortably slip back into their characters, and their onscreen chemistry is a standout feature. Hathaway's portrayal maintains Andy's upbeat personality while showcasing her growth and new passion, making her more relatable as she strives to preserve Runway's traditions and produce meaningful articles instead of the fleeting content that often goes unnoticed. Streep again brings depth to the typically icy Miranda Priestly, illustrating her struggle to adapt in a rapidly changing industry while maintaining her signature dry humor and charm amid Runway’s tumultuous situation. Their contrasting apprehensions about their careers create an engaging dynamic as they disagree on how to remain relevant and true to their craft.

      Of course, *The Devil Wears Prada* wouldn’t be the same without Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, who reprise their roles as Emily and Nigel. Like Streep, Blunt injects her own brand of wit into Emily’s sarcasm and newfound confidence as Miranda must keep Emily and her brand content. Although Blunt’s character feels underutilized in the first half, the latter part of the film allows for more exploration of Emily's circumstances and relationships. Tucci’s Nigel remains captivating, sharing memorable moments with Hathaway while diving into the emotional layers of his long-standing friendship with Miranda. The chemistry among the four main actors is remarkable, revealing fresh facets of their characters without rehashing the original film's content.

      A host of new characters also leave their mark, including Bridgerton's Simone Ashley as Miranda’s current assistant, Patrick Brammall as Andy’s new romantic interest, Kenneth Branagh as Miranda's boyfriend, and Justin Theroux as Emily’s “brilliant” yet dim-witted partner. The chemistry between Hathaway and Brammall feels organic, with witty dialogue enhancing their first date scene. Branagh allows Miranda to exhibit vulnerability, granting viewers a rare glimpse into her character.

      Ashley serves as a counterbalance to Miranda’s abrasive tendencies, reminding her that certain comments are no longer acceptable in today’s workplace while also being extravagantly fashionable. Theroux brings comic relief as a wealthy, oblivious tech bro; however, his character can become somewhat tiresome, his foolishness stretching believability (although in today's world, it may be painfully accurate). Nevertheless, he shines in a memorable moment with Streep, presenting a nihilistic critique of what Miranda and Andy aim to uphold.

      One of the central themes of *Devil Wears Prada 2* addresses the growing irrelevance of the magazine and news industries. As processes and formats evolve at breakneck speed, Miranda and Andy grapple with how to stay afloat in an ever-shifting landscape. The film subtly critiques the ultra-wealthy and elitist attitudes of figures like Miranda and her colleagues toward lower and middle classes. Yet, it does not delve deeply enough into these themes, resulting in a more sympathetic portrayal of Miranda compared to the first film. While the film is entertaining and enjoyable to see Hathaway, Streep, Blunt, and Tucci together again, alongside numerous fashion cameos, it ultimately presents a fairly simplistic narrative that could have conveyed its messages more effectively.

      *The Devil Wears Prada 2* is a welcome revisit to Runway, with the cast's chemistry being its most compelling aspect. Hathaway and Streep command attention in every scene, creatively exploring