‘Inside Out 2’ Review: An Emotionally Significant Sequel

Rarely does a sequel hit as hard as the original, but Pixar’s Inside Out 2 is a beautiful gift that reminds us of how vital all our feelings are. With stunning and bright animation, plus an emotionally poignant score from Michael Giacchino and astounding voice acting, the film is well worth its salt.

Inside Out 2 accomplishes plenty by never once overexplaining things to the audience but by showing us scenarios that many of us understand well at this point. It hits hard, and it punches deep because we’ve all been there—we get it. We see it. So many of us know exactly what a panic attack looks like, and when the film shows it to us, we recognize the signs, the buildup, the turmoil, and the waves. The film gorgeously reveals to the audience how this works through a narrative that feels organic and entirely human. Inside Out was perfect as is, but Inside Out 2 adds more nuance and depth to how we evolve and change as humans.

“Maybe that’s a part of growing up; you feel less joy.” There’s a good chance that many of the audience members watching Inside Out 2 at the moment feel less joy. I certainly do, today especially. It’s hard. Genocides are happening as I type this; Father’s Day is coming up, and it’s a tough time for many of us; the state of this industry is uncertain, and Joy is desperately trying to come out of the vault we’ve stuck her in. But there’s beauty in knowing that she’s still there, and there’s something about Amy Poehler continuing to voice her because it allows the character and the feeling to be more timeless.

It’s a bit more special for those of us who adore Leslie Knope because we know exactly how hard it is to still believe in happiness and stay positive even when everything around us is falling apart. Pixar understands humanity in a way that regular Disney films often view through rose-colored glasses, and it understands our deep, inherent need to hold onto the pieces of us that bring us happiness. But like in the original film, the message here stands that our emotions all matter.

That said, Maya Hawke is perfect as Anxiety and provides the necessary warmth and confusion in her voice acting to carefully unravel the detail that at the end of the day, anxiety is simply a means of protecting ourselves. The voice work expertly brings the emotion’s overbearing tightness to life through moments that feel authentic, surprisingly hilarious, and outright heartbreaking. And, of course, Ayo Edebiri as Envy is a gem for whom I have absolutely no notes—perfection in every way. Adèle Exarchopoulos as Ennui and Paul Walter Hauser as Embarrassment? Yes. 100%. Yvette Nicole Brown as Couch Roberts? Also, a big yes.

Inside Out 2 has some pacing issues, and the film intricately caters to nostalgia even while the characters actively push Nostalgia away. However, it’s a glowing spectacle that feels right. It’s hard to imagine the console and the world inside our heads without the new characters and everything that comes to life to honor teenage experiences and all the angst. It leaves viewers with the reminder that our emotions demand to be felt and that sometimes, they can all co-exist even when it feels like one is winning the war over the others. That’s why these films work—they’re honest and genuine, and the animation is some of the studio’s finest work to date.

The film focuses intensely on the idea of Riley being a good person, so much so that she repeats it to herself consistently despite making mistakes. Yet, the film doesn’t overtly tell us that complexities matter as much as our innate goodness. It shows it over and over again. People will never be perfect, even when the emotions inside of us have kind or sincere motives. The world is too complicated for a single human to be an ideal mold of excellence, yet this imperfection is where the film shines. The ugly parts of Inside Out 2 deal with real emotions, and the brightness that comes forward even when scenarios are muddied makes the story feel more genuine.

The film’s decision to target more mature themes in the face of authentically portrayed panic attacks that lead to spirals and waves drowning out Riley allows it to be one of Pixar’s most profound narratives. It’s significant for teens and pre-teens to understand that there’s light at the end of the darkness, and it’s possible to breathe again even when it feels like the pain and uncertainties are swallowing us whole. The sequel is bold, sharp, and so deeply heartfelt that as cliche as some of these messages might be, they’re perpetual reminders viewers everywhere could use no matter how old they are.

Inside Out 2 is now playing exclusively in theaters.
First Featured Image | Official Poster Credit: ©Pixar