Holding Space is a joint column by Anne T. Donahue and Peter Knegt that “holds space” for something or someone in popular culture.
Peter: I have something very extremely pressing to discuss with you, Anne: I just saw The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Anne: Okay. Deep breath. I’m scared, Peter. One could even say that I’m girding my loins.
Peter: Believe me, Anne, I was girding my loins walking into that screening. I was fully prepared to be deeply disappointed because, let’s face it, that’s pretty much what we’ve come to expect from almost anything these days (also: those trailers were so bad!). But I am so, so happy to inform you that The Devil Wears Prada 2 is actually quite the opposite of disappointing. It’s… genuinely satisfying, and maybe even a good movie??
Anne: Call me Scully because I want to believe. But first: I need to know more.
To start, is it a good movie as a movie on its own or is it a good movie for a sequel? Does it play too much to the nostalgia of it all? Does Nate suffer a humiliation ritual onscreen for an extended period of time? Sequels fundamentally frighten me — especially in an era where so many are terrible. I need to at least know that another steak is not harmed in a dramatic fashion.
Peter: First and foremost, Nate is thankfully not even mentioned in the movie. But do you know what is? Banff, Alberta (and I’m not going to contextualize that any further). There are also absolutely no steaks on screen. And these, Anne, are the only three things I’ll spoil for you: no Nate, no steak, Banff reference. The rest I’ll leave for you to discover (and there are quite a few major things!).
As for the good movie vs. good movie for a sequel question, I think the answer is significantly closer to the former than you or I ever could have imagined. Because, you’re right, we are in an era of very bad sequels, particularly legacy sequels. Sometimes they are so bad that they even put a stain on the original film. I was so terrified this would be the case here that I rewatched the original Devil Wears Prada the night before just to have one last look at her before she was potentially compromised. But she wasn’t! I genuinely teared up when it ended just because it felt so remarkable not to be let down by something like this in the year 2026.
Devil Wears Prada 2 manages to somewhat gracefully walk that line between servicing the fans and standing on its own. Sure, the callbacks occasionally feel indulgent, and there’s a new character that the movie would be way better served without. (Once you see it you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about). But overall, it’s too fun, charming and occasionally even insightful to feel anything but delight watching it. Unless you haven’t seen the original. I know those people must be out there, but not in my world. I can’t imagine any of them are reading this column.
I know you’ve seen it Anne, but I don’t really know your relationship to it. What did the first Devil Wears Prada mean to you?
From left: Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci in The Devil Wears Prada 2. (Disney)
Anne: I love the original. LOVE. I dragged my friends to see it back in 2006 — I think I even made us come home from the beach early because I had my priorities right — and was immediately obsessed. This was for two reasons: the first, because the movie is perfectly timed, cast, shot, and written — minus Nate and his burnt grilled cheese. The second is I’ve always been a little publishing nerd.
This movie is a love letter to magazines. A very warped, twisted, upsetting love letter — because Runway seems like a terrible place to work and the publishing industry is dying around us — but a love letter nonetheless. I grew up reading magazines. I still read magazines. I love magazines! Which is probably why, at 21-years-old, I watched The Devil Wears Prada and thought writing for a magazine still seemed so cool.
Anyway, will this do for 21-year-olds now what the original did for me?
Peter: OK, so I do have some bad news. But let me start with this instead. The sequel is absolutely a love letter… to the first movie. The script very smartly focuses on the original quartet of Andy (Anne Hathaway), Miranda (Meryl Streep), Emily (Emily Blunt) and Nigel (Stanley Tucci) and gives them all a lot to work with. The narrative is compelling, the performances are wonderful (Blunt is the undeniable MVP, in my opinion), and it looks and feels like an actual movie and not some Netflix slop.
As for what it has to say about magazines and the future of journalism and the media in general? It feels more like a funeral than a love letter. Sadly, I don’t think any 21-year-old is going to walk out of it feeling good about the journalism degree they’re working toward. Which given the state of things, you can’t blame the movie for. If you happen to work in media (which obviously me and you both do, yay!), The Devil Wears Prada 2 might actually be a little triggering?
Anne: I’m still of the romantic mindset that we’ll all return to holding magazines and newspapers and being really stoked about it. (I’m rooting for you, Chloe Malle!)
But I want to pick up on something you said that I think is interesting: if the sequel is a love letter to the original movie, do you see it as a love letter to cinema? Because that ups the cultural ante since the state of film is nearing the same status as the state of journalism and media. Mainly: it’s bleak-street out there, and this is why good movies make such an impact. We’ve Held Space™ before on physically going to the movies and why being in the actual theatre is important to keep the industry alive. Do you think The Devil Wears Prada 2 is appointment, in-theatre viewing? Did it make you feel nostalgic for going to the movies, hunkering down, and revelling in joy?
I might be taking it too far! But also, between your review and the hype around Mile End Kicks, The Drama, and Project Hail Mary, I feel hope in my heart that we’re heading into a summer where movies are, should I say, so back.
Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada 2. (Disney)
Peter: Nothing would make me happier than telling you that I think The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a love letter to cinema. But that is indeed taking it too far. Though for what it’s worth, I definitely don’t think the first one was that either. They’re both just well-made, well-written, well-acted studio movies made for adults who enjoy a fun time at the cinema that doesn’t insult their intelligence. We absolutely need more of these to do well, especially coming off of Michael, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the latest Scream all making bank despite being stank (sorry). I’d caution saying the movies are back largely because of those three examples, but The Devil Wears Prada 2 (plus the films you listed, not to mention Blue Heron, Send Help, Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie, The Christophers and Mother Mary) at least suggest they’re putting up a fight!
Anne: I’ll take it! And you know what I’ll also be taking? An onion bagel, to go, for breakfast. Because two decades later and I’m still traumatized by the fact that Runway served corn chowder in their cafeteria. I may trust your opinion regarding this sequel, but I do not trust the Runway publisher to serve a delicious version of comfort food.
Peter: In that case, Anne, I am offering one more spoiler: the chowder is back! That’s all.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is in cinemas across Canada this Friday, May 1st.