The Devil Wears Prada 2 Review — Miranda Priestly Is Back and More Compelling Than Ever

Twenty years ago, The Devil Wears Prada arrived in cinemas as, in the words of one critic, "a smart, funny, fluffy bit of studio counterprogramming" — a female-skewing comedy that became a cultural phenomenon, an endlessly quotable classic, and one of the most rewatchable films of its generation. Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly entered the pantheon of cinema's great villains. Anne Hathaway's Andy Sachs became a symbol of professional ambition colliding with personal identity. Emily Blunt made everyone terrified of the name Emily. And Stanley Tucci was, as always, simply perfect. Now, The Devil Wears Prada 2 arrives in cinemas on May 1, 2026 — and the first wave of critical reviews has rendered a verdict that is more nuanced, more interesting, and in some ways more compelling than a simple thumbs up or thumbs down. This is not the sequel anyone expected. It is, by multiple critical accounts, better than that. At digital8hub.com, we break down everything the critics are saying about one of 2026's most anticipated films. What The Devil Wears Prada 2 Is Actually About In The Devil Wears Prada 2, Andy Sachs and Miranda Priestly reunite to revive the dying Runway magazine. Andy returns to Runway magazine as an investigative journalist, confronting corporate power, media collapse, and the fierce Miranda Priestly. digital8hubdigital8hub The premise is deceptively timely. Amid all the luxurious high fashion and expensive high-heeled stilettos, The Devil Wears Prada 2 reminds us of something else unattainable in today's world — a stable editorial job at a respectable publication that is more interested in serious journalism than consolidating with a tech-bro mindset and turning into a content farm before vanishing forever. digital8hub It is a bold creative choice — taking a film beloved for its fashion fantasy escapism and using the sequel to engage seriously with the collapse of the media industry, the rise of billionaire ownership, and what has been lost in the digital age. Whether it works depends on which critic you ask — but the ambition is undeniable. The Critics Speak: What's Working Meryl Streep Is Extraordinary The unanimous verdict across critical reviews is that Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly is the unambiguous highlight of the sequel — and that the character has evolved in ways that make her more interesting, not less. It's Streep's Miranda who has changed the most in the 20 years since we last saw her. No longer just your stock dragon-lady boss, the 2026 Miranda is an old-school pro with magazines in her blood, her focus sharper than ever. Critics praise Streep as viciously funny — a description that captures the particular quality that made Miranda Priestly iconic in the first place and that Streep has evidently found new dimensions within across two decades. The Variety review notes that Meryl Streep's minimalist delivery remains a pleasure, and the script's jabs at the current dire state of media make a play for relevance. digital8hubdigital8hub The Whole Cast Delivers None of the stars here is slacking, and their combined, easily resumed chemistry ensures that this sequel, for good long stretches, feels like old times. The return of Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci alongside new additions including Lady Gaga, Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley, and Kenneth Branagh gives the film both nostalgia and fresh energy. digital8hubGoogle News It's nice to reunite with old characters that we love, witness a healthy dose of fan servicing — the finale between Andy and Emily is especially shameless yet wonderful. digital8hub The Costumes and Fashion Thanks to costume designer Molly Rogers — taking over from Patricia Field — the clothes in The Devil Wears Prada 2 are generally smarter, sharper, and less mockingly ridiculous than in the earlier film. The old Miranda wouldn't have worn a tassel-bedecked toreador jacket rendered in the soft olive and aqua tones of a weathered Venetian palazzo — but for 2026 Miranda — older, smarter, just a little softer without being too soft — this mildly crazy creation from Belgian house Dries Van Noten is perfect. A Darker, Braver Film The Devil Wears Prada 2, imperfect as it is, is actually a better movie than its predecessor. That's not to say you'll necessarily enjoy it more: this is one downer of a fashion fantasy, a movie that's bracingly honest about both the state of magazines and how that affects our perception of fashion today. What's Not Working: The Criticisms No sequel to a beloved film escapes without criticism, and The Devil Wears Prada 2 is no exception. The Story Feels Underbaked Critics complain about an underbaked story — a recurring note across multiple reviews suggesting that while the premise is strong and the performances are excellent, the screenplay does not always give its talented cast enough to work with. The plot mechanics that bring Andy back to Runway feel somewhat contrived to several reviewers. digital8hub The Ending Disappoints The biggest headscratcher in The Devil Wears Prada 2 is its seemingly happy resolution, in which it is more or less a billionaire who saves the day and the future of journalism, at least for a while. For a film that engages seriously with the collapse of media and the predatory dynamics of billionaire ownership, a resolution that leans on exactly that dynamic feels, to some critics, like a cop-out. digital8hub The Visuals Have Dimmed The grayish veil cast over scene after scene in The Devil Wears Prada 2 tidily demonstrates how significantly standards of studio-movie lighting have shifted in recent years: Miranda Priestly herself would certainly have some words on this front. The original film's crisp, gleaming aesthetic — so perfectly suited to the world of high fashion — has been replaced by a moodier, darker visual palette that not everyone finds an improvement. digital8hub Nostalgia Has Its Limits It's hard to imagine fans of its predecessor cherishing repeat viewings — a pointed observation from Variety that captures the fundamental challenge facing any sequel to a comfort-watch classic. The original Devil Wears Prada earned its rewatchability through a lightness and wit that the sequel, in its darker ambitions, occasionally sacrifices. digital8hub The Verdict: Should You See It? The critical consensus on The Devil Wears Prada 2 is broadly positive with significant caveats — and the specific nature of those caveats will determine whether the film is for you. The sequel is performing better than the original on Rotten Tomatoes — a remarkable achievement for a film following one of the most beloved comedies of the 2000s, and a reflection of genuine critical respect for what the filmmakers have attempted. digital8hub First reviews describe it as a worthy, entertaining sequel that offers more than just nostalgia. If you loved the original for its fashion fantasy, its quotable script, and the electric chemistry between its cast, you will find enough of all three to justify the trip to the cinema. If you are hoping for a film that recaptures the precise tone and effortless wit of the 2006 original — you may leave slightly disappointed, but unlikely to feel your time was wasted. digital8hub Though perhaps not as biting or clever as the first film, it's still good sentimental fun. digital8hub And Meryl Streep is, by all accounts, absolutely magnificent. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is in cinemas from May 1, 2026. 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