The Devil Wears Prada 2 is actually a horror movie

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While the movie The Devil Wears Prada focused on workplace drama and a demanding boss, Miranda, it stayed fun and upbeat because of its amazing fashion sequences, thanks to Andy’s stylish mentor, Nigel. Like many romantic comedies from the 2000s, it also offered a hopeful message about women achieving success, particularly in fields like journalism.

The magazine world of 2026 isn’t the glamorous place it used to be, and that’s a key part of what makes The Devil Wears Prada 2 feel like a horror film. Returning to this industry, as any journalist will tell you, reveals a world that’s falling apart, and the movie portrays that decline.

The story’s tension starts immediately at a journalism awards ceremony. Andy and her coworkers at Vanguard all get the same text message at once. It feels like something huge is about to happen—like the dinosaurs are approaching in Jurassic Park—but instead of monsters, it’s bad news. They’ve all just been laid off, a nightmare scenario for any journalist.

It’s not just investigative journalism facing cuts; even major fashion magazines are changing. Runway magazine, once a powerhouse, looks very different after 20 years. When Andy returns to Runway as a features editor – not Miranda’s assistant this time – the changes are immediately noticeable. This year’s usually massive September issue is remarkably thin, and the photo shoots Nigel produces aren’t grabbing anyone’s attention – people are just quickly scrolling past them.

Andy, along with the rest of the journalists present, was visibly shocked to hear terms like “content” and “interactive” being used. Even Miranda was surprised to hear the word “gorpcore” spoken with a straight face. Everyone, including those at the prestigious Runway magazine, feels pressured to change with the times – or face the reality of a struggling media world.

Unlike Vanguard, Runway doesn’t appear to be failing. However, when Jay Ravitz – a character similar to Kendall Roy in the sequel – becomes head of Elias-Clarke, he decides the fashion magazine is losing the company money and needs to be shut down.

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Okay, so this new guy comes in with a bunch of financial people – Andy calls them ‘undertakers,’ which is pretty harsh, but accurate – and immediately starts telling Miranda where to cut costs. It’s basically a death sentence for Runway, this magazine that’s been around forever. He’s slashing budgets everywhere to try and push everything ‘digital.’ It’s insane! Even Miranda has to fly to Milan in economy class, can you believe it? Honestly, it feels like only Andy is even trying to fight back and save the magazine. It’s really frustrating to watch everything fall apart like this.

Even in the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, things don’t get any easier for Andy. Her new boyfriend, Peter, turns out to be part of the problem. Despite appearing kind, he’s a property developer who’s stripping the charm from old Manhattan apartments, replacing their unique character with bland, neutral designs.

It’s surprising, given how much Andy champions individuality, that this would be a breaking point for her. While she fights against the predicted downfall of her career, she surprisingly accepts a partner motivated by financial gain, rather than genuine connection.

Andy still has awful taste in men, just like in the first movie. And in a fun callback to the original, director David Frankel includes several subtle references. For example, the two belts Andy once confused are seen at a street stall, and even Miranda’s iconic coats reappear – this time worn by Miranda herself instead of tossed at her assistant.

The film playfully references the original movie and the golden age of Runway, but these nods are distorted and warped, making that past feel strange and almost unrecognizable.

Okay, so it’s good that they’re finally calling Miranda out on how she treats people, that was long overdue! But honestly, watching the show now just feels…sad. You can really see how much power she’s lost, and how Runway isn’t what it used to be. It’s like, she’s suddenly having to listen to Jay, who doesn’t even understand why you need editors or writers when AI can do the job! And poor Andy? She traded one disaster for another – she went from being totally unemployed to being stuck in a situation that feels like it’s quickly falling apart. It’s just…not a good look.

A truly effective horror film stays with you, making you feel like the scary elements are still present even after the credits roll. The Devil Wears Prada 2 achieves this same effect. Even though everything ultimately works out – with a generous billionaire rescuing Runway magazine and everyone’s jobs, including Miranda, Nigel, and Andy’s – a feeling of unease remains.

The magazine still feels relevant and stylish, but Miranda warns Andy that this won’t last forever – and it’s a pretty unsettling realization.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is out now in cinemas.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a beautiful 100-page, full-color tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online.

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2026-05-01 19:20