The Devil Wears Prada 2 settles a debate that has raged for two decades. When David Fincher's original 2006 film hit theaters, audiences couldn't decide whether Miranda Priestly or Andy Sachs was the story's actual antagonist. Miranda, played by Meryl Streep, embodied the ruthless fashion editor demanding perfection. Andy, portrayed by Anne Hathaway, represented the ambitious intern willing to abandon her principles for career advancement. The film's moral ambiguity became its calling card, generating endless discussion about which character deserved sympathy.
The sequel, arriving this summer, takes a different approach. Rather than embrace the original's philosophical uncertainty, The Devil Wears Prada 2 attempts to clearly establish who the villain is. The film shifts its moral framework, offering a more defined antagonist for audiences to root against.
This creative choice reflects broader industry trends. Audiences increasingly demand clarity in their narratives. Streaming platforms and franchise films prioritize unambiguous storytelling over the nuanced character work that defined prestige cinema of the 2000s. The original Devil Wears Prada succeeded partly because it trusted viewers to grapple with competing sympathies. Miranda's impossible standards stemmed from genuine professional dedication. Andy's compromises reflected real career pressures in competitive industries.
Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway return for the sequel, though their dynamic will shift based on the film's villain reveal. The project reunites director David Frankel with the original cast, maintaining continuity while pushing the story forward into a new era of fashion and workplace culture.
The sequel's clearer moral landscape suggests screenwriters believe modern audiences prefer defined heroes and villains over morally gray characters. Whether this approach serves the franchise or dilutes what made the original resonate remains to be seen.
THE TAKE