Madonna’s “Vogue” crescendoes as red, avant-garde high heels strut through an illuminated office. This could only mean one thing: “The Devil Wears Prada” has returned for a sequel.

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” was released on May 1, 2026, to much excitement from fans of the first installment. Once again following the witty but unfashionable protagonist Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), the movie takes place 20 years after the events of the original film. Andy rejoins Runway Magazine to try to save its public image after they promoted a fashion brand that uses sweatshop labor. What follows is a saga of betrayals, successes and wholesome moments between the beloved characters as Sachs scrambles to recover the magazine’s reputation and eventually restore Miranda Priesley’s (Meryl Streep) editor-in-chief position. While not a bad movie by any means, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” focused too much on pleasing old fans who had been waiting for its return to the silver screen.

A comfort movie for a plethora of watchers, the original “The Devil Wears Prada” is a staple comedy. With its satisfying and rewarding pace and aesthetic cinematography, it can be watched anywhere, from tucked into your sheets to 30,000 feet in the air. Like many sequels of beloved movies, there was pressure on “The Devil Wears Prada 2” to live up to the incredibly high standards expected by its expansive audience. Even though the sequel fell flat in some aspects, it still delivered a movie worthy of the “The Devil Wears Prada” title.

As the original cast of characters all returned for the sequel, many were due for long-awaited growth. The most notable storyline was Miranda’s eventual recognition of Nigel’s (Stanley Tucci) hard work. In “The Devil Wears Prada,” his character was undervalued by the tyrannical Miranda, but was beloved by viewers. His plot line is brought full circle by this satisfying and unexpected conclusion.

Miranda’s cold personality is broken through vulnerable moments throughout the film. After the news breaks about Runway Magazine’s scandal, she is shown in a panic, scared of losing the empire she had built. This new perspective on her character makes viewers sympathize with her more than expected based on her former depiction.

While the movie’s dramatic plotlines are engaging, the fan service in the film is prominent. They litter the film with callbacks to iconic moments for diehard fans of the first movie, including Andy’s cerulean blue sweater and Miranda’s famous line, “that’s all.” For any fan of the first installment, even if you didn’t like the plot, you may find some comfort and joy in these references.

The overarching plot of the movie follows the now-business-mogul Emily (Emily Blunt), who originally worked under Miranda, as she tries to undermine Runway Magazine. Her vapid billionaire husband comes close to buying the whole company and handing over Miranda’s position to Emily herself in a vain, unexpected betrayal. The riveting twist was a highlight of the movie, but it is resolved almost immediately, with Emily being awkwardly forgiven.

It is undeniable that the center of “The Devil Wears Prada” franchise is fashion itself. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” continues to explore this world, but unlike the original, the sequel advocates for a change in the industry, featuring models that defy the traditional body types and styles of the fashion industry.

While it still doesn’t live up to the original, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” certainly doesn’t fall flat. Its present day frame provides a welcome shift to the original’s charm, and brought satisfying conclusions to the beloved cast of characters. While it may not be necessary to catch in theatres, it is definitely worth watching if you want to see more of Runway Magazine’s crazy journey.