In Cinemas Now: Prada #2 – The Review
We all love it when the gang gets back together again. Whether it’s the Star Wars crew, the Sex and the City gals or Brigitte, Daniel and Darcy, the sentiment is the same. It’s such a feel-good moment when our favourite characters regroup and light up the screen.
And even more so when the original quartet from the 2006 smash hit, The Devil Wears Prada, reconnects. Yes, Meryl, Stanley, Anne and Emily are back — bigger and bitchier than ever in The Devil Wears Prada 2. Twenty years have passed since their first encounters, so does this sequel work?
The Devil Wears Prada 2: a luxe night at the movies
Five close friends and I were very excited to head to Palace Como last Friday night to find out. For those who haven’t been there, the Como is a very luxe cinema near the intersection of Chapel Street and Toorak Road in South Yarra. Wine bars and restaurants abound, so it’s ideally located for après-movie discussions.
And our verdict?
Well, it took a couple of hours over a meal of steak, pommes frites, green salad and red wine at Chez Olivier to deliberate all the finer points of this revisiting of the original tale of fashion, females and what it takes to ‘get ahead’ in New York City.
Most of us had recently rewatched the original Prada and, interestingly, one other friend and I were both somewhat dismayed by how intensely nasty the workplace culture was at the fictional magazine Runway. Something you simply wouldn’t get away with today, thank God.
Miranda is back
Moving on to 2026, when the new movie premiered, and the workplace bullying doesn’t seem to have improved. But that, of course, is part of the schtick. The condescension and loathing that top boss Miranda Priestley has for her minions is what makes us laugh. So brace yourself for plenty more of that. Meryl Streep doesn’t miss a beat — what a legend this woman is.
Prada #2 is fast-paced, witty and very current, dealing with issues such as digital media gutting old-style newsrooms, and nerdy tech billionaires who own the world and somehow need to display their wealth. But the core premise remains — that fashion is creative, indefinable and only able to be curated by those blessed with that special eye.
The Fab Four return
Throughout the journey from gala events in New York, to luxury hideaways in the Hamptons, and on to the frenetic runways of Milan, Stanley Tucci holds this movie together. As Nigel, he remains Miranda’s loyal lieutenant, but is also smart enough to recognise the changing media landscape.
Anne Hathaway as Andy continues to surprise me with her compliance and ditziness — she is supposed to be an award-winning journalist, so why is she still carrying coffee for her colleagues? But, as always, she looks just great in the couture labels.
And then there’s Emily, played by Emily Blunt. What a treat this woman is. What a fine actor, with that cutting Brit accent and absolutely no moral compass whatsoever. Does she finally meet her comeuppance? You’ll have to see the movie to find that out.
Cameos, couture and coach class
There are so many fun cameo performances in this film — half the joy is spotting the who’s who of artists and fashionistas as they pop on and off screen.
There are also two minor roles: Miranda’s husband Stuart, played by Kenneth Branagh, and Patrick Brammall as Peter, Andy’s love interest. Over to you to decide if these actors mesh well with the fab four … or if this casting was just a bridge too far.
Either way, enjoy Prada #2. My suggestion is that it’s definitely a girls’ night out, with dinner afterwards to deconstruct it all.
Watch the trailer here.
Save money on your movie night
Planning a girls’ night out to see Devil Wears Prada 2? Don’t forget that many Melbourne cinemas offer cheap ticket days, seniors card discounts and special loyalty deals that can make a movie outing far more affordable.
Palace Cinemas, Hoyts, Village and independent cinemas often have discounted sessions during the week, particularly for Seniors Card holders. Before you book, check out Nadine’s Guide to Cheap Cinema Tickets in Melbourne for all the best ways to save on your next trip to the movies.
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