That 87% RT Score on 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'? Pure Nostalgia Tax, Nothing More

The sequel epidemic has recognizable symptoms: washed-out visuals with "cold office" lighting and overly bright accents; plots built on nostalgia; and general fatigue among everyone involved in the project.

All of these symptoms can be found in The Devil Wears Prada 2 – the sequel we didn't ask for, but got anyway.

What Is 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' About?

Once the mecca of the fashion industry, Runway has succumbed to trends, transforming from a fashion bible into an online digest with an endless stream of content. The magazine is trying to maintain its standards, and Miranda and Nigel are keeping an eye on things.

Runway hires Andy as editor to rescue Miranda from a series of scandals and restore the publication's journalistic integrity.

This time, the situation will be much more difficult to overcome than in 2006 – not only is Miranda's job at stake, but also the future of the entire industry.

'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Is a Sequel That Becomes the Very Thing It Mocks

The Devil Wears Prada 2 intentionally (or not) descends into meta-irony – the movie's characters struggle with the very thing the sequel itself is.

The giant corporation, Elias-Clark, is being acquired by an even larger one, whose CEO is convinced that AI will eventually replace fashion. Corporations are closing publications and throwing journalists out of work.

20th Century Fox, the studio that released the original film, was acquired by Disney. Corporate bosses who don't care about cinema as an art form treat the project as if billionaires with zero sense of style were juggling the fate of Runway.

The plot development feels less like a coherent story and more like a paint-by-numbers sequence where the script moves from one nostalgic reference to the next.

'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Is Just a Calculated Attempt to Capitalize on Nostalgia

The stakes are too high for the studio, budgets are set and nostalgia sells, so it's more profitable to rely on it. They bring in famous influencers to connect with a younger audience and add Instagram-chic flair to the wardrobe. Then, they hope it works.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 occasionally slips into Netflix-esque logic, with characters verbalizing their actions in case the viewer is scrolling on their phone. With each act, the movie becomes flatter and more plastic.

The only thing that truly holds your attention is your emotional connection to the original movie – your heart will flutter when Miranda gives you her signature disapproving look.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a neat, calculated, soulless nostalgia machine that works only if you're willing to overlook its lack of real life in the frame.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'?

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 has 78% from critics and 87% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.9/10.

• On Letterboxd, The Devil Wears Prada 2 scored 3.4/5.0.

Where to Watch 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'?

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is currently playing in theaters.