The Devil Wears Prada 2 critics review: Stylish sequel faces flak for repetitive plot

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is heading to cinemas on Friday with critics offering a mixed but largely favourable first response. Reviewers praised the returning cast and fashion-forward spectacle while questioning the film's plot.

In Short

• The early reviews of The Devil Wears Prada 2 have left critics divided
• Anne Hathaway earned praise for her charm and the returning cast’s easy chemistry
• Several reviews said the sequel looks fabulous but feels narratively thin

The long-awaited sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is set to release in theatres on Friday, May 1 — and reviews are already pouring in. The film features actors Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt in key roles. Below, see what critics are saying about the film.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 currently holds a 74 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of Wednesday. In his review, The Hollywood Reporter’s chief film critic, David Rooney notes that the film functions more as a showcase for high fashion than a traditional office-based story. While praising the effortless charm of the leads, he ultimately concludes that "the movie is less a workplace comedy than a clothes horse, elevated by a classy cast."

Addressing the early criticism surrounding the sequel, Rooney notes that while a promotional clip sparked backlash from some East Asian viewers regarding stereotypes in the character of Jin Chao, the performance itself remains appealing. Ultimately, he suggests the film is too lighthearted to cause lasting offence, concluding that "it’s pretty and polished and as featherweight as a fawning magazine puff piece; it will doubtless make a fortune."

Entertainment writer Chantelle Bozicevic for 9 honey, wriets, "It seems there's a reason that the plot has been kept under wraps. It's because it doesn't really exist, and if it does, it's far too confusing to explain in a two-sentence synopsis."

David Fear of Rolling Stone examines the film’s depiction of the evolving media landscape, describing it as a stylishly disguised "horror movie" for journalists. He suggests that despite the glamour, the story highlights a grim reality for the industry, noting that "integrity, talent, hard work, and a dedication to treating everything from fashion to the moving pictures with seriousness is in perpetual danger of extinction."

Brian Truitt of USA Today argues that the sequel suffers from an over-reliance on the original's structure, particularly regarding the central conflict between the two leads. While he enjoyed the interaction between the stars, he found the protagonist’s struggle to earn the editor's approval once again to be redundant, noting that “the third act of the film feels way too close to the OG as well.”

On the other hand, Truitt highlights the evolving dynamic between Andy and Emily as a major strength that compensates for the film's weaker subplots, such as a forgettable new romance for the lead. He finds the supporting cast a mixed bag, observing that the new Australian love interest is a lacklustre addition, “whereas Theroux is a standout as Blunt’s hilariously awkward, AI-loving tech bro love interest.”

The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw observes that the film successfully revisits the iconic rhythms of its predecessor, from cafeteria gossip to high-stakes corporate manoeuvring in Milan and the Hamptons. He notes that the sequel even features a nostalgic cameo for the protagonist's famously mocked knitwear, concluding that the experience is "good-natured, buoyant entertainment. It’s wearing well."

The New Yorker’s Justin Chang writes, “The Devil Wears Prada 2 is selling a truckload of preposterous goods, but it sells them awfully well, with unfeigned assurance, conviction, and the appropriate ratio of cynicism to hope. As industries and their titans are brought low, this film suggests, the best we can ask for is the satisfaction of doing good work and the lasting friendships we may forge along the way. That’s all.”

Beth Webb of Empire notes that the returning cast brings essential depth to the sequel, with the leads balancing character growth and comedic charm. She highlights that while the protagonist appears more world-weary, the supporting performances provide both heart and humour, observing that “Tucci as Miranda’s stalwart right-hand man Nigel returns as the pocket-square-adorned shoulder to cry on, though does get a few welcome moments to shine.”

The review further explains that the film’s visual splendour serves as a constant reminder of the high stakes involved in the fashion world. At the heart of it all, the editor-in-chief remains a commanding presence, as Webb suggests that “Streep lets us a little deeper into Miranda’s psyche without losing that magnetic elusiveness. Her power survives intact, even if she’s not given a worthy adversary to unleash it upon.”

The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites the original film's lead cast with director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna. Along with the returning stars, new actors in the cast include Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux and Lucy Liu.

Apart from Stanley Tucci, fans will also see some other familiar faces from the first film such as Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman.

- Ends