by Rosa Parra
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved 2006 film. While some may question whether a sequel is warranted for such a classic, I believe this movie not only justifies its existence but exceeds expectations. Featuring stars like Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Simone Ashley, BJ Novak, Kenneth Branagh, and Stanley Tucci, and directed by David Frankel, it centers on Miranda Presley (Streep) as she faces off against Emily Charlton (Blunt), her former assistant turned rival, in a battle for advertising revenue amid dwindling print media, with Miranda approaching retirement.
Twenty years after we last saw Emily, Miranda, Andrea, and Nigel, we return to Runway and observe how the past two decades have significantly transformed the media landscape, including journalism. Andy, who has worked at a journalistic company, becomes unemployed when all the journalists in her firm are laid off. Meanwhile, Runway faces difficulties due to ongoing negative reports about Miranda, prompting them to search for a talented writer to contribute to the magazine.
What stands out about this sequel is its different tone from the original. Part 2 feels more mature, self-reflective, and subdued. Given the passage of time and how it aligns with today’s media landscape, work ethic, and hustle culture, I was pleasantly surprised. It perfectly balanced nostalgic callbacks to certain quotes and scenes with new relationship dynamics, challenges, and quotes. It didn’t simply revisit old memories by referencing iconic quotes; instead, it adopted a well-deserved mature tone, which makes sense as these characters are now older and have experienced more. It’s a reflection of real life—growing, learning, self-reflecting, and gaining self-awareness.
I found the portrayal of modern media compelling. It highlights how technological advancements have pushed media, including journalism, into a digital realm. This shift in consumption has diminished the value of magazines, journalism, and news overall. The film humorously notes that people now often “read” or scroll through magazines while in the restroom. Social media also plays a notable role throughout the film, illustrating how digital media has overtaken society by becoming the new distraction, while print media gradually becomes obsolete. This change is reflected in Miranda, Andy, and Nigel’s roles at Runway, as the fashion industry adapts to new technology. Overall, the film effectively explores the contemporary reality of how we consume media daily.
The aspect of hustle culture was also quite striking in this film. In the first movie, Miranda is known for disrespecting her assistants, often tossing her coats and purses at them. In this sequel, we see her hanging her own coat after someone complained to HR about her behavior towards her assistants. The scene is hilarious because she looks so exhausted afterward. This offers a compelling commentary on modern work ethic and hustle culture, prompting viewers to consider whether watching the first film through a contemporary lens is appropriate. Having recently rewatched the first film, I’ve reevaluated many of my previous assumptions. While Miranda was an ambitious boss, the real antagonists in the original were Andy’s boyfriend and friends.
All the performances were excellent, perfectly balancing humor, drama, and charm. The four actors seamlessly slipped back into their roles without missing a beat, delivering outstanding work. The chemistry among them felt real, making their characters seem authentic and lived-in. This made their character’s management of their personal and professional challenges relatable.
Overall, The Devil Wears Prada 2 serves as a fitting sequel that offers a detailed view of technological influence in media. It retains the charm, humor, and wit of the original while introducing greater maturity and a modern perspective on the workplace. An entertaining sequel well worth watching.
Rating: 8/10