Pixar’s Inside Out (2015) left a lasting impression with its original and heartfelt exploration of childhood emotions. Fast forward nearly a decade, and Riley’s emotional landscape has become more intricate as she embarks on the journey into her teenage years. Inside Out 2 doesn’t just revisit the charming world of personified emotions but expands it with fresh and poignant insights into adolescence, anxiety, and self-discovery.
Plot Overview: A Teenage Mind in Flux
In Inside Out 2, Riley is now a teenager, navigating the turbulent waters of puberty, friendships, and identity. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust are back, but they’re no longer in control of Riley’s mind as they once were. A new set of emotions, including Anxiety, Embarrassment, and Envy, have moved in, displacing the once familiar faces we grew to love in the original.
As Riley faces the pressures of growing up, particularly with the transition from middle school to high school, her emotions are thrown into disarray. Her hockey camp—a pivotal event in the film—becomes a symbolic battleground where these emotions struggle for dominance, leading Riley down a path that challenges everything she once believed about herself.
The decision to personify anxiety as the main antagonist was an inspired one, and Inside Out 2 is at its best when it explores how Anxiety and its fellow new emotions affect Riley’s behaviour. Anxiety doesn’t play the role of a typical villain, but rather a force that constantly pushes and pulls Riley between caution and self-preservation, often at the expense of her relationships and self-confidence.
A Clever Expansion of the Emotional World
One of the most clever aspects of Inside Out 2 is the addition of these new emotions. Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, plays a central role and is portrayed with an unsettling yet relatable intensity. Her constant spinning and freezing during panic attacks is an excellent visual metaphor for the paralyzing effect of anxiety—a feeling many in the audience can resonate with on a personal level.
It’s not just Anxiety that makes an impact. The arrival of Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) paints a broader picture of the emotional upheaval that comes with adolescence. Each of these new emotions is given their moment to shine, adding layers of depth to the already complex world inside Riley’s mind. Their interplay with the original emotions, particularly Joy and Sadness, highlights the way our feelings evolve as we grow older.
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Pixar once again demonstrates its mastery of using animation to visualise abstract concepts. The representation of anxiety and panic attacks in Inside Out 2 is handled with such nuance and creativity that it’s both beautiful and heartbreaking to watch. During one particularly gripping sequence, Riley experiences a panic attack, and we see Anxiety spinning in circles, frozen in fear. The way Pixar visualises the overwhelming sensations of anxiety—complete with a foggy, chaotic atmosphere—brilliantly captures what it feels like to lose control in the face of stress. It’s an honest portrayal that will resonate with anyone who has experienced similar feelings.
Moreover, this sequence serves as one of the film’s highlights, demonstrating Pixar’s ability to translate complex psychological experiences into visually arresting scenes that are accessible to viewers of all ages.
What’s Missing: A Slight Drop in Charm
As much as Inside Out 2 excels in expanding the emotional landscape and introducing more mature themes, it does lack some of the effortless charm that made the first film so universally beloved. The original struck a perfect balance between lightheartedness and depth, but the sequel leans more into the emotional and psychological struggles of adolescence, which can occasionally feel heavier and less whimsical.
At times, the pacing slows down, particularly in the middle of the film where Riley’s internal conflict takes precedence over external action. While this deeper dive into teenage angst is poignant, it occasionally feels like the film loses sight of the playful adventure that characterised the first Inside Out. The new emotions, while fascinating, also don’t carry the same instant relatability as Joy, Sadness, and their gang, making parts of the story feel a bit more distant from the audience.
A Film for Both Teens and Adults
Although Inside Out 2 is technically a children’s movie, its themes are very much aimed at a broader audience. The exploration of anxiety, self-worth, and change speaks volumes to teenagers and adults alike. This is particularly true for those who’ve grappled with anxiety or self-doubt, as Riley’s journey mirrors the struggles many face during adolescence and beyond.
In some ways, the film feels more attuned to the emotional lives of adults, particularly parents who watch their children grow up and face their own inner battles. The portrayal of how Riley’s emotional world adapts to her changing reality—particularly with the shift in friendships and the fear of being left behind—will hit home for anyone who’s lived through the turbulent teenage years.
Conclusion: A Worthy Sequel with a More Mature Edge
Inside Out 2 is a bold and thoughtful follow-up to the original. It dives into more complex emotional territory, offering a raw, honest portrayal of the struggles that come with growing up. While it may not carry the same lighthearted charm as the first film, its depiction of anxiety and its clever exploration of the emotional landscape make it a deeply affecting and worthwhile sequel. Pixar once again proves that animation can tackle the heaviest of subjects with grace, humour, and heart.
