Hello, Fellow Movie Buffs! 🎬
So like… hey! 👋 You ever watch a movie and afterward you’re just sitting there like, “Dang, did that just emotionally wreck me or was that character literally ME?” Yeah, that was totally Inside Out 2. No cap. This movie lowkey hit harder than expected, and it wasn’t just because of the nostalgia — it’s because it understood the chaos that is growing up.
Let’s just dive straight in, ‘cause this one deserves a full-on breakdown — the kinda deep convo you’d have with your bestie at 2AM.
🧠 Emotions, i felt in Inside out 2
So first off, in Inside out 2 Riley is not a lil kid anymore — she’s stepping into that weird messy teenage phase, where your brain is kinda like “what even is happening” 24/7. In this sequel, we see new emotions move in: Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui. Yeah, that last one was totally vibing with my soul — the whole “meh” attitude? Peak Youth energy.
Anxiety is the queen bee here, no lie. She storms in like, “Hey babes, I’m here to keep you safe by controlling EVERYTHING.” At first, it’s like, cool cool, thanks for lookin’ out — but then it becomes super clear that Anxiety is kinda the toxic friend. You know the one. Always in your business, making plans without asking, thinking she knows best. She means well, fr, but she’s exhausting.
What really hit hard was how Anxiety slowly hijacks Riley’s entire inner world — thinking she’s protecting her, but actually causing full-on chaos. It’s so real. That overthinking spiral? Yeah, we’ve all been there.
🎭 The Vibes With the OG Emotions
Meanwhile, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust in Inside out 2 are still doing their thing — but now they’re lowkey struggling to keep up. The teen brain is different, y’all. You can’t just throw on a happy memory and hope for the best anymore.
Joy, though? She’s still trying. Bless her optimistic little heart. But she learns a huge lesson here — that being “happy” all the time isn’t the goal. Sometimes you gotta let other emotions take the wheel. And honestly? That message was chef’s kiss.
Disgust is still iconic, Fear is still stressed out, and Sadness? Honestly the MVP. She’s not loud, but she always knows what’s up. The whole “Sadness is necessary” thing from the first movie? Still 100% true.
💥 What I Loved (Like, Seriously) in Inside out 2
The Representation of Anxiety – I legit teared up. Not because it was dramatic, but because it was real. The way Anxiety overthinks, plans every scenario, and tries to control everything to avoid pain? Relatable AF. It wasn’t villainized, it was humanized.
The Visuals – Bro, Pixar flexed HARD. The mind world has been majorly leveled up. The “Vault” scene? Stunning. The new “Sense of Self” concept? Freakin’ brilliant.
The Humor – There were some lines that were so perfectly Gen Z I had to pause the movie to laugh. Like when Ennui barely lifted a finger and was like, “I guess we care…” — I FELT that.
Those Easter Eggs – Bing Bong’s origami? The 4*Town reference? Lenny from Toy Story? If you know, you know. It was subtle but packed for the real fans.
💭 What Kinda Missed (Just a Little Though) by youhh in Inside out 2
Okay okay, not to sound like a hater (because I’m not), but there were a few things that felt… off?
The Pacing – The middle section kinda dragged. Like, we get it, Anxiety is doing too much. Can we move the story forward?
Underused OG Emotions – I wanted more Joy and Sadness moments. The emotional bond between those two in the first film was everything, and here, they got a lil sidelined.
Surface-Level Newbies – Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui were super fun, but they didn’t get that much screen time. Like, I would’ve loved a scene where Riley feels super cringe and Embarrassment just nopes out of the situation. Missed opportunity.
🛠️ What Should’ve Been Added in Inside Out 2:
Memory Flashbacks – Let’s be real, teen years are shaped by past experiences. I wish they showed how younger Riley’s memories influenced her teenage self.
Family Emotions – I LOVED that we got glimpses into the parents’ emotions in the first film. Why didn’t we see them more here? Missed chance for hilarious inner mom/dad drama.
Anxiety’s Backstory – Like, give us a quick peek into WHY she acts this way. A throwback to when Riley first felt anxious? That could’ve hit deep.
🧩 Themes That Just Hit Different
What really stuck with me was the idea that your sense of self is fluid. It’s not this fixed crystal of “this is who I am.” It’s like… ever-evolving. Teen Riley thinks she has to choose who to be, who to impress, how to act. And that pressure? It’s A LOT.
But by the end, she learns she doesn’t need to erase the old Riley to be the new one. She can be both — scared and brave. Confused and confident. It’s not either/or. It’s “both, and.”
And that’s such a powerful takeaway. Especially in a world where we’re constantly told to fit into a box or pick one identity — sporty, smart, funny, etc. Nah. Be all the things. Be chaotic. Be complex. That’s what makes you YOU.
🧠 The “Big Brain” Stuff
Okay let’s nerd out for a sec, ‘cause this movie isn’t just cute — it’s smart.
Anxiety as Executive Dysfunction – When Anxiety takes over, Riley literally freezes. Her thoughts scatter, her actions spiral. That’s executive dysfunction in action, and it’s so well done.
The Mind as a Theater – Remember the stage in the brain where thoughts are “performed”? Yeah, that’s based on real cognitive science — the “global workspace theory.” Pixar out here teaching psychology without even trying.
Multifaceted Memory Storage – In the first movie, memories were one-emotion colored. Now, we see that they can be multi-emotional, layered, and confusing. Like, same. That’s growth, bestie.
✨ Final Vibes
So, did Inside Out 2 slap? Kinda, yeah.
Was it perfect? Nah. But does it speak to the chaos of growing up, and all the overwhelming feels that come with it? Absolutely.
If you’re expecting the magic of the first movie all over again, you might feel a lil let down. But if you’re open to exploring a new emotional arc — one that’s messier, more complicated, and super real — this one’s gonna hit you right in the feels.
Honestly, Inside Out 2 is less about finding happiness and more about accepting the whole vibe of being human. The joy, the fear, the awkwardness, the chill, the cringe — it’s all part of the story.
🫶 Last but not the Least:
Anxiety is the new boss in Riley’s mind — relatable but overbearing.
OG emotions get pushed aside a bit, but still iconic.
Riley’s inner world is more chaotic and more real.
Could’ve gone deeper in places, but the themes hit hard.
Visuals, Easter eggs, and character design = 10/10.
Ending reminds us it’s okay to not have everything figured out.
So yeah, Inside Out 2? It’s giving growth. It’s giving self-awareness. It’s giving “I cried but also laughed.” 💅
Let me know what YOU thought. Was Anxiety a little too real? Did Ennui steal your mood? Or were you just here for the vibes? Either way, this sequel definitely gave us something to feel.
Catch you in your feels, besties. 🧠💖
And for list of 10 Hidden Gems of Netflix – click here
