In The Devil Wears Prada 2, the villain is a conniving tech oligarch seeking to buy his way into fashion’s inner circle. Sound familiar? The film’s Benji Barnes, played by Justin Theroux, mirrors Jeff Bezos in many ways, from his post-divorce transformation to his relationship with a former assistant.
A New Miranda Priestly
The sequel presents a different Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), who now takes orders from advertisers, publishing magnates, and eventually Benji Barnes. Benji, an eccentric billionaire, threatens to dismantle the excellence she championed. His inclusion reflects a media landscape where billionaires decide which parts of the old world survive.
Parallels with Jeff Bezos
Benji’s ex-wife Sasha (Lucy Liu) dedicates her life to philanthropy, similar to MacKenzie Scott. His girlfriend Emily (Emily Blunt) uses his status to step out of Miranda’s shadow, akin to Lauren Sánchez Bezos raising her profile through their marriage. The couple’s luxurious Venice wedding mirrors Bezos’s own.
Meta Subplots
The film’s release coincides with real-life controversy over Bezos’s role as honorary chair of the Met Gala, with rumors of celebrity boycotts. Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna noted that Bezos’s potential acquisition of Condé Nast happened after the script was written, adding a “whoa” moment.
Broader Trend
The Devil Wears Prada 2 joins other films like The Morning Show, Industry, and Succession in portraying tech billionaires as villains. These characters reflect a real-world reality where oligarchs are inescapable, from Trump’s inauguration to their control over communication tools.
A Cautionary Tale
Benji dismisses artistry, predicting a future where Runway uses AI instead of models. Miranda defends human achievement, but the film questions if we want to live in a world built by such billionaires.
