The Devil Wears Prada 2 Review: A Fun Sequel That Can’t Live Up to the Original

by

In the realm of legacy sequels, quality ranges wildly.

Some sequels are just disappointing copies of the original, offering nothing new and sometimes even damaging the reputation of the first film. On the other hand, a rare few actually justify their existence, occasionally reaching or even exceeding the quality of the original. A great recent example of a successful sequel is probably , which skillfully blended familiar elements with fresh ideas.

The film lands somewhere in the middle – it’s definitely not a cynical attempt to make easy money like some sequels can be. The main cast – Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, and Stanley Tucci – are all established stars who don’t need a paycheck or a career boost. It’s actually impressive that Hathaway, with five major films already planned for 2026, found time to make this, showing how much she enjoys the world of the original film and her character, Andy Sachs. While the movie has a few odd choices and occasionally gets a bit too self-aware and awkward, it’s mostly enjoyable, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the quality of the 2006 original.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 Benefits from a Returning Creative Team & Cast

One of the clearest signs a sequel won’t live up to the original is when very few of the original cast and crew return. However, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is unusual because it brought back the same director, producer, and writer who worked on the first film.

It’s clear this installment shares the same world as the previous film, but with a more updated feel. The fashion and overall look are particularly strong – everyone looks amazing, especially newcomer Simone Ashley as Miranda’s new assistant, Amari. Like the first movie, New York City is a major setting and is lovingly portrayed, but this time the story also travels to international locations, specifically Milan, replacing Paris as the key European city.

The movie successfully captures the original characters and how they’ve evolved (or stayed the same) over the years. While it doesn’t have quite as many instantly iconic scenes as the 2006 film, the script is witty and genuinely funny, with great performances from the cast – especially Emily Blunt, who is consistently hilarious, just as she was before. A running joke about Miranda’s outdated behavior is particularly clever, with a new character stepping in to prevent Miranda from making HR-worthy statements (we find out HR already had to address some of her antics between films). The reason Andy returns to Runway is a smart plot twist, and sadly, it feels very believable given today’s media landscape.

The movie benefits greatly from the return of all the original stars: Anne Hathaway as Andy, Emily Blunt as Emily (now a Dior executive and former rival from their days at Runway), Stanley Tucci as the beloved art director Nigel, and, of course, Meryl Streep as the unforgettable Miranda Priestly, a character clearly inspired by Anna Wintour and fiercely protective of her position at Runway. After a 20-year break, each actor effortlessly steps back into their role, and remarkably, recaptures the dynamic they had with each other. The most touching scenes in The Devil Wears Prada 2 focus on Nigel and his relationships with both Miranda and Andy, with the connection between Nigel and Andy ultimately driving the film’s most surprising plot twist.

The Newbies Are (Mostly) Great

Audiences are clearly coming to see the big stars – Hathaway, Blunt, Tucci, and Streep – but the supporting cast is also strong. Justin Theroux really shines as Benji Barnes, a wealthy character clearly inspired by figures like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, who is now dating Emily. His unusual hair, voice, and surprisingly silly behavior are hilarious and some of the film’s best moments. Lucy Liu is also excellent in a smaller role as Benji’s ex-wife, Sasha Barnes, and her character’s story has a satisfying payoff at the end of the movie.

The new additions to the Runway cast blend in perfectly, especially Simone Ashley from Bridgerton, who plays Amari. While her role isn’t as big as some might hope, she looks fantastic and delivers some humorous scenes. Kenneth Branagh is a welcome and enjoyable, though somewhat underused, addition as Miranda’s new husband.

The movie has a few too many celebrity cameos – maybe three to five too many. However, the bigger problem is the new character, Peter, played by Patrick Brammall. Brammall does a good job with the role, but Peter himself is a bit of a flat, unremarkable character – a wealthy Australian developer with no real personality. He doesn’t feel like a necessary addition to the story. After the negative reaction to Andy’s previous boyfriend, Nate, the filmmakers might be better off not forcing Andy into relationships.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is in theaters May 1, 2026.

Read More

2026-04-29 19:06