Two decades after its premiere, The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites the iconic cast for a humorous sequel examining the evolving worlds of fashion, journalism, and publishing. While it may not fully recapture the original film’s sharp satire, it offers clever commentary on modern media and society.

Fashion and Film Milestones

This year marks significant anniversaries within the fashion industry. It’s been a century since Coco Chanel debuted her iconic ‘little black dress’ in American Vogue, challenging the traditional association of black with mourning or servitude. It has also been twenty years since the release of The Devil Wears Prada, the 2006 film directed by David Frankel.

The Original's Impact

Based on Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel, The Devil Wears Prada drew inspiration from Weisberger’s experiences assisting Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. The film provided a captivating, and often harsh, look into the competitive world of high fashion, eventually earning Wintour’s approval.

The original film was a commercial success, even surpassing Superman Returns during its opening week and becoming a cultural touchstone.

The Sequel: A New Chapter

The highly anticipated sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, reunites Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt, with David Frankel and Aline Brosh McKenna returning as director and writer, respectively.

While the sequel’s satire is less pointed than the first film, shifting its focus to journalism and publishing, it still delivers sharp wit and humor. The story follows Miranda Priestly (Streep) still at the helm of Runway magazine, now with a new husband played by Kenneth Branagh.

Evolving Characters and Plot

Emily Charlton (Blunt) has experienced marriage, divorce, and a career move to Dior, while Andy Sachs (Hathaway) has progressed from an editorial assistant to a seasoned journalist. After a sudden firing via text message, Andy finds herself back at Runway as features editor, a position Miranda did not influence.

The plot centers around Andy’s temptation to write an unauthorized biography exposing Miranda’s quirks, and a media mogul (Justin Theroux) attempting to acquire Runway. The film also includes cameos from fashion icons Donatella Versace and Naomi Campbell, alongside appearances from Rory McIlroy and Lady Gaga.

Despite a slower pace, The Devil Wears Prada 2 remains a stylish and engaging addition to the franchise, culminating in a satisfying climax during Milan Fashion Week.