The Devil Wears Prada 2 Review: Like direct-to-video leftovers

Brighton Nelson

02 May 2026 — 6 min read

I've been a big fan of the original The Devil Wears Prada for who knows how long. Somehow, its sequel was not on my radar for 2026, which was peculiar, considering that almost every film is. Ever since I found out about its existence and watched the first trailer, I've been a tad skeptical, as The Devil Wears Prada is one of those rare films I love that I wouldn't say would benefit much from a continuation. Were my suspicions valid, or was I all cynical for no good reason? That's what I, Brighton Nelson of The Reel Ranker, will discuss in today's review. Thanks so much for joining me here on the site, and I hope you enjoy this article!

I would've liked a more campy 2000s poster like this. It is what it is, though.

Starting with the positives, the performances here are incredible. Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci didn't miss a beat... It feels like they filmed these two films back-to-back. While the dialogue is far more hit-or-miss than the original, that doesn't mean that the characterizations aren't still awesome. I always love seeing actors go ten years without playing a role, then come back stronger than ever. It impresses me every time, especially when the actors could've easily just phoned it in for a check.

The costume design is also as effective as ever and is an easy shoo-in for an Oscar nomination. While some of the fashion is hideous—though, in my opinion, intentionally so—the film wonderfully conveys how broad interpretations are in the world of fashion. If this doesn't get nominated in the costume design category, I don't know what will!

The posters for this film are simple, but effective.

The film also has all the fun, chaotic, dramatic vibes of the original, but with a more high-level corporate twist than the original's more personal stakes. Many workplaces are shrinking, new management is coming in, and everyone is getting laid off. Seeing all the characters get in too deep all over again was a lot of fun!

However, while it's superficially entertaining and keeps the original's vibes wonderfully. I still think it's a sequel that I'll be forgetting about rather soon. I'm usually a huge fan of similar, "derivative" sequels, like Ready or Not 2 from earlier this year! A new thing or two and a high level of dedication to the film's quality are more than enough for me to consider a film a worthy follow-up. However, here I just felt there wasn't a single element better than the first. While I don't hate the film, it feels like a Temu direct-to-video sequel blessed with a big budget. It simply left me wanting so much more by the film's conclusion, and I felt like a disappointment.

I might have said some of the fashion is hideous earlier, but I wasn't referring to what the main characters wear. For the most part, at least, Hathaway wears one dress I'm mixed on but, otherwise, it's all peak. See next photo for the dress in question.

The film ends in an unsatisfying way that kind of ruins the whole point of the original, gives Miranda an unearned redemption arc that contradicts the first film, and adds a tacked-on romance that lacked any real chemistry. When a movie feels as self-contained as the first did, a sequel really needs to find a way to feel fresh, not like unsalted In-N-Out fries at the bottom of the bag. The only thing in this film that really made me feel something was a certain Nigel plot twist, and that's not great, considering how much the first made me feel as Andy climbed the ladder, only to have it deconstructed and then reconstructed.

And, unfortunately, more often than not, I felt like I was laughing at the movie, not with it. My mom and I turned to each other far too many times: the humor just didn't land that well. And, as long as potty humor is not involved, I'm usually very easy to please when it comes to comedy.

Let's head on back over to the Ready or Not 2 comparison. With that film, new rules, characters, and dynamics made the game feel different, grander, and more entertaining. Home Alone 2, an entirely new setting that is far more threatening than the first. Freakier Friday, a more complicated swap across more generations. Toy Story 4 shows Woody's natural progression toward independence from Andy. While many say these sequels shouldn't exist, they offer enough new avenues for me to thoroughly enjoy them. See, it doesn't take that much for me to be won over by sequels!

I don't know if I love or hate this dress. It's interesting, nonetheless. (Source: Vanity Fair)

Here, however, it felt like nostalgia and box office numbers were driving the film more than elevating the stakes or exploring new themes. While I may have superficially enjoyed this film more than some 3-star films I've watched this year—à la Mercy, Fantasy Life, and The Moment—I simply can't recommend a film that feels derivative to the point of disappointment.

While The Devil Wears Prada 2 didn't tarnish the legacy of the first, I don't think my life would feel a modicum different if this film suddenly disappeared without a trace. While I hate making this claim about any film, it's just true. I'll easily recommend a weak film that did something interesting rather than this fashion trend that has overstayed its welcome.

Sorry, Miranda, your film is no longer "in" in my mind.

The Reel Ranker Verdict

Reel or Unreel? - Unreel
The Reel Ranker Score: 49%
Letter Score: D+
Star Ranking: 2.5 out of 5

While the performances and fashion are great as ever, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a sequel that needed much more time in the story development phase to find a narrative that merited being told. Sadly, I can't recommend this film, and, unlike the original (which I love!), I don't think I'll ever think about this one again.

Interested in checking out some recent reviews for some other recent comedies and dramas? Check them out below!