Growing Up Hurts—and Pixar Knows It
When Inside Out premiered in 2015, it was hailed as one of Pixar’s most emotionally intelligent films—a visual and psychological journey through the mind of a child grappling with change. But Inside Out 2 (2024) proves that growing up doesn’t stop the storm inside.
If anything, it gets worse.
This sequel follows Riley, now 13 years old, as she enters the most emotionally chaotic chapter of her life: early adolescence. Puberty hits. Friendships shift. Identity fractures. And inside her mind? The old emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—are no longer alone.
They have competition. And it’s complicated.
New Emotions, New Rules
The sequel introduces new emotions that reflect Riley’s teenage development:
- Anxiety, voiced with nervous brilliance, takes over the control panel, trying to “protect” Riley by overthinking every moment.
- Envy, Embarrassment, and Boredom also join the cast, each bringing chaos and conflict to the once (somewhat) orderly mind space.
Unlike the original emotions, these new ones don’t play well with others. They fight for dominance, creating internal conflict that feels painfully accurate for anyone who’s been a teen—or raised one.
The film does an exceptional job showing how emotions evolve. Joy is no longer always in charge. In fact, she’s struggling to understand how to stay relevant.
It Hits Harder If You’re an Adult
While younger audiences will laugh at the hijinks inside Riley’s brain, Inside Out 2 quietly speaks to adults about something deeper: the grief of watching your identity change.
Riley’s internal struggle isn’t just about fitting in—it’s about letting go of who she thought she was. Joy, for all her brightness, becomes a tragic figure as she realizes she can’t protect Riley from pain anymore.
There’s a specific scene where Riley imagines who she used to be, and it’s devastating. Not in a loud, melodramatic way—but in the kind of way that makes adults exhale slowly and whisper, “Oh.”
Animation at Its Peak
Visually, Inside Out 2 is a triumph. Pixar takes the mind-world concept even further, adding surreal environments like the “Imposter Syndrome Pit,” the cavernous “Vault of Secrets,” and “Social Survival Island.”
These aren’t just cute design ideas—they’re clever metaphors for psychological experiences we’ve all had.
The animation is fluid, expressive, and filled with texture, using color and movement to show how thoughts and feelings blend and battle in the background of every decision Riley makes.
The Stakes Are Lower—But Feel More Personal
There’s no “saving the world” in Inside Out 2. The entire plot revolves around a weekend hockey camp, new teammates, and the slow breakdown of Riley’s confidence.
But that’s the genius of it. The biggest battles in life often happen internally. This film doesn’t treat teenage insecurity like a joke. It treats it as an existential crisis. Because for Riley, it is.
Final Thoughts
Inside Out 2 doesn’t just succeed as a sequel—it deepens the entire concept. It respects its audience, no matter their age, and dares to show that growth means discomfort.
It’s not always joyful. Sometimes, it’s messy, anxious, awkward, and lonely.
And that’s okay.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
A deeply empathetic, visually stunning sequel that dares to say growing up isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about learning to live with the questions.