The Devil Wears Prada 2: The fashion world has changed and so have they

After two decades, the news that they were finally getting the fashionistas back together again sent fans buzzing with excitement.

However, if we’re being honest, The Devil Wears Prada is one of those films that didn’t need a sequel. Despite becoming an instant classic, it was never meant to be a franchise. This wasn’t a blockbuster sci-fi film or an action tentpole. It was simply a sharply-written script with iconic performances that caught fire with audiences.

Because of that though, I have to admit that my anticipation for the sequel was metered. Legacy sequels are notoriously hard to develop. On the one hand, you need to satiate fans of the original, helping them remember why they loved these characters in the first place. But, on the other, you have to justify why the film exists. If you offer too many callbacks or nods to nostalgia, the film can feel like an empty cash grab. But, thankfully, the cast of Prada do not just step back into their iconic roles.

(Center – Right) Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly and Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs in 20th Century Studios’ THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2. Photo by Macall Polay. © 2026 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

They strut.

And, maybe, they’ve never looked better.

Twenty years after making their iconic turns as Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway magazine in the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon that defined a generation.

It’s worth noting that fans of the original should be pleased with all the elements they are looking for in the sequel. Witty banter, backstabbing and so, so many outfits remain a staple of this franchise and all are on full display. Even after all this time, Streep, Blunt and Hathaway (and, of course, the beloved Stanley Tucci) know how to make magic together onscreen. They’re fierce, feisty and often very funny.

Even so, almost surprisingly, Prada 2 feels more self-reflective than the fiery first entry. Time has passed for all of our characters, bringing with them maturity and strength. Having become a respected journalist, Andy carries herself with more confidence than the young woman who first walked through the doors at Runway so long ago. Emily has also moved on (or has she?), having taken a position elsewhere that allows her to showcase her creativity and vision.

Though, the biggest difference lies with Streep’s Miranda. While she still has the same domineering tone in her voice that she once did, she has also had to evolve with the times. And it’s clearly worn on her. She still expects full control but now, the world seems to have more control over her. And, perhaps most importantly, we finally meet the bosses’ boss.

As a result, without giving any spoilers, Prada 2 places an emphasis on Miranda’s power under the thumb of those above her on the corporate ladder. And it changes Streep’s approach to the material. Suddenly, there’s a little more empathy for the notorious tyrant, highlighting the ways she’s forced to tolerate her directors in order to maintain her place in leadership.

Yet that’s part of what makes Prada 2 so fascinating. This is very much a film that wants to explore the ways that the world has changed and how our favourite characters can find a new place within it. The magazine industry has given way to the internet age. Corporate scale-downs have caught up with the fashion industry. Even Miranda’s normally curt responses with her staff are tempered by HR reps.

In short, everyone feels like they’re slowly falling behind the times.

(L-R) Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly and Stanley Tucci as Nigel Kipling in 20th Century Studios’ THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2. Photo by Macall Polay. © 2026 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

As such, this isn’t merely another story about competition on the corporate ladder. (Though, certainly that aspect of the film is still very present.) Instead, this is a story about strong women who have already made their mark – and that would like to continue to do so. In this way, the original’s cutthroat atmosphere gives way to one that emphasizes more feminine support. Yes, these women often find themselves at odds with one another. However, the overall tone of the film leans more into fighting together than it does fighting with each other.

That change in tone elevates The Devil Wears Prada 2 into more than just another return to the franchise well. In fact, with its new emphasis on feminine solidarity, this return to the world of fashion even feels necessary.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is available in theatres on Friday, May 1^st, 2026.