Inside Out 2 Review

You may remember the first Inside Out film from Pixar, a heartwarming exploration of a young girl’s emotions as she navigates the challenges of growing up. It was a movie that resonated with many, reminding us of the complexities of childhood emotions and how we learn to deal with them. Fast forward to Inside Out 2 , the sequel that takes the next step in exploring the intricate emotional world of Riley, now a 13-year-old girl. As she steps into the world of adolescence, Riley faces new challenges, and so do her emotions.

This sequel doesn’t just pick up where the first left off; it takes us on a deeper journey through the emotional upheaval of puberty and high school life. In this Inside Out 2 review, we’ll explore the emotional growth of Riley, the new characters introduced, and how this sequel builds on the foundation set by its predecessor. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Inside Out or experiencing Riley’s emotional journey for the first time, there’s much to explore in this film, so let’s dive in.

Inside Out 2 Review: Growing Up is Hard to Do

Adolescence is a time of emotional chaos. Your body is changing, your friendships are shifting, and you’re learning how to navigate a world that suddenly feels a lot more complicated. Inside Out 2 does an incredible job of capturing these emotional growing pains. The film’s brilliance lies in how it mirrors the changes Riley experiences with the evolution of her emotions. In the first film, we saw Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust working together to help Riley make sense of her world. In Inside Out 2, things get a lot more complicated, as new emotions come into play to help Riley cope with the challenges of entering high school.

Riley’s Emotional World: Puberty and New Challenges

In Inside Out 2, Riley is 13 and on the cusp of entering high school. As her body and mind change, so too does her emotional landscape. The familiar emotions we loved in the first film—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—are still around, but they now have to share the spotlight with new, more complex emotions that come with adolescence.

• Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke): As Riley navigates puberty, Anxiety takes center stage. Anxiety is a new emotion that plays a significant role in Riley’s mental world, reflecting the heightened sense of worry and uncertainty that often accompanies adolescence.
• Envy (Ayo Edebiri): Envy represents the jealousy that Riley experiences as she becomes more aware of the “cool crowd” in high school and the social pressures to fit in.
• Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos): Ennui adds an element of emotional boredom and frustration. As Riley starts to feel disconnected from her past, Ennui captures that sense of apathy that can arise when you’re trying to figure out who you are in a new environment.
• Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser): Embarrassment is the comedic addition to Riley’s emotional world, reflecting the self-consciousness and awkwardness that often comes with growing up and being thrust into the spotlight.

These new characters help show just how much more complicated Riley’s emotional world has become. She’s no longer just dealing with simple childhood feelings; she’s now contending with deeper, more nuanced emotions that will shape her identity as she enters her teenage years.

Inside Out 2 Review : Anxiety and Riley’s Struggle to Find Balance

One of the standout characters in Inside Out 2 is Anxiety. Unlike the clear-cut emotions we saw in the first film, Anxiety is much more complicated. She’s not a traditional “villain” but more of a well-meaning, misguided emotion that tries to keep Riley safe from the unknowns of high school. However, her overbearing nature only leads to chaos, pushing Riley further into a state of confusion.

Anxiety’s role in Inside Out 2 is pivotal because she represents the overwhelming fears that come with change. Whether it’s the fear of rejection, the anxiety of meeting new people, or the pressure to perform well, Anxiety becomes a force Riley must learn to manage. Her character arc shows that while anxiety is a natural response to new challenges, it’s important to not let it control you.

• Anxiety’s Relationship with Riley: At the heart of Inside Out 2, Riley’s struggle with Anxiety is symbolic of how many of us deal with anxiety in our own lives. It’s about learning when to lean into your fears and when to push them aside to move forward. This emotional growth is what makes the film resonate with older audiences as much as younger ones.
• Anxiety’s Impact on the Narrative: Anxiety’s interactions with the other emotions, especially Joy and Sadness, add a new layer of complexity to the film. While the first movie was about learning to accept all emotions, Inside Out 2 is about learning to balance and control them.

High School Drama and the Search for Identity

At the core of Inside Out 2 is Riley’s emotional journey through the ups and downs of high school. As she navigates this new world, her emotions are constantly pulled in different directions, and Riley faces the difficult task of figuring out who she wants to be. Should she stick with her childhood friends, or should she try to fit in with the popular crowd? The pressure to make the right choice weighs heavily on her, and this is where the new emotions, especially Anxiety and Envy, become more prominent.

• Riley’s Emotional Journey: Riley’s internal struggle mirrors the external challenges she faces in high school. As she deals with making new friends, fitting in, and keeping her old relationships intact, her emotions must adapt to this new phase of life. In the process, Riley learns the importance of balancing the old and the new parts of her identity.
• The Importance of Friendships: A major theme in Inside Out 2 is the importance of maintaining genuine friendships, even when the temptation to fit in with the “cool crowd” becomes overwhelming. Riley’s emotional journey is about understanding the value of true connections and the importance of staying true to herself.

Animation and Visual Comedy: Pixar’s Mastery Continues

Inside Out 2 delivers on Pixar’s trademark animation and visual storytelling. The world inside Riley’s mind is as rich and vibrant as ever, with new settings and imaginative sequences that bring the film’s themes to life. Pixar’s ability to blend humor, heart, and creativity is on full display in this sequel, particularly with the visual representation of the new emotions.

• The Sar-Chasms: One of the film’s most clever visual gags is the “sar-chasms,” a pun on the word sarcasm. This clever play on words is just one example of the film’s humor, which balances the deeper emotional themes with lighthearted moments.
• The Visual Representation of Emotions: Each new emotion—Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment—has a unique visual design that reflects its personality. Anxiety, for example, is depicted as constantly on edge, while Embarrassment is shown trying to hide his large size, adding a layer of physical comedy that enhances the emotional storytelling.

The Heart of the Film: Joy’s Evolution

In the first Inside Out film, Joy was the driving force behind Riley’s emotional world. She was optimistic, lively, and determined to keep Riley happy. In Inside Out 2, Joy’s role has evolved. While she’s still a central character, her function in Riley’s emotional world has shifted. As Riley grows older and faces more complicated emotions, Joy must adapt to a more supportive, mentor-like role.

• Joy’s Role as a Guide: In Inside Out 2, Joy is no longer the singular focus. Instead, she becomes a guide for the newer emotions, helping them understand their place in Riley’s world. This evolution reflects the growth of Riley herself, as she learns to manage a broader range of emotions.
• The Balance Between Joy and Anxiety: The relationship between Joy and Anxiety is one of the film’s most poignant aspects. While Anxiety’s overprotectiveness often causes chaos, Joy’s positive influence helps Riley find the balance she needs to move forward in her life. The dynamic between these two emotions shows how even conflicting feelings can work together to shape a person’s emotional growth.

Inside Out 2 Review : Inside Out 2 is a Worthy Sequel

Inside Out 2 is a deeply emotional and visually stunning sequel that does justice to its predecessor. It expands on the themes of emotional growth and self-acceptance, taking us through the challenging emotional landscape of adolescence. The introduction of new emotions like Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment adds a layer of complexity that will resonate with anyone who’s ever gone through the ups and downs of growing up.

With its blend of humor, heart, and insightful commentary on the emotional challenges of puberty, Inside Out 2 is more than just a sequel—it’s a heartfelt exploration of the growing pains we all experience. Whether you’re a teenager grappling with new emotions or an adult reflecting on your own journey through adolescence, Inside Out 2 offers a story that is as relatable as it is entertaining.