In a world ruled by algorithms and influencers, can a legend of fashion and trendsetting survive, or is it time for the Devil to give up her throne? The Devil Wears Prada 2, directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, brings back Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci as their iconic characters, now separated and on different paths.
Twenty years have passed between the events of the first movie when Andy was hired as fashion icon Miranda Priestly’s (Meryl Streep) second assistant at Runway magazine. In the first film, Andy entered the fashion world as an aspiring journalist and struggled to survive the weight of her role. Andy’s character took the audience on a journey through the ups and downs of the fashion world. Then, after a shocking realization that she would not sacrifice her morals for her success, she left her position. Andy wanted her life to mean something deeper, and this sequel gives her the opportunity to do so.
In The Devil Wears Prada 2, Andy has become the journalist she aspired to be. Miranda, meanwhile, is now facing an ever-changing consumer market. In stark contrast to Andy’s growth, Miranda Priestly is as cryptic as ever, but she begins the film uncharacteristically lost. It seems as though she’s given up on keeping Runway what it once was. Instead of being the trendsetters, they were now simply following them. The magazine has been reduced to producing cheap content that people will scroll past after a quick glance. Her world that once depended on magazines and traditional media is now heavily focused on social media, influencers and the pressure to capture the audience’s attention.
While the phenomenal outfits and incredible performances by Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep undoubtedly captured the audience, the heart of the movie delivers a profound message. The film perfectly encapsulates the modern struggle of the arts and humanities, showing how quickly passion and creativity can be replaced by technology. The contrast between creativity and technology in this movie is a component I loved. However, I will admit the romance aspect fell a little short to me. New romantic interests for both Andy and Miranda made their debuts in this film. Andy’s new relationship specifically was lackluster and missed the chemistry element that makes a romantic subplot worth watching.
Overall, the message of creativity finding its footing in today’s world is what makes this more meaningful than a fashion sequel. The costumes, the characters, and the spectacular acting are entertaining, but the conflict gives it a much deeper and relatable purpose. The film argues that technology is cool for creativity, it is not here to replace or undervalue it. To me, this movie is exactly why we need to protect and fund the humanities and arts. It is a critique of what our society has become in terms of quantity over quality. In a world where everything is generated at faster speeds, the movie reminds us that passion, imagination, and human expression is something that cannot be replaced. To be creative is to be human.