My Corner

June 2024

After a stretch of streaming releases and forgettable theatrical outings, Inside Out 2 marks a welcome return to form for Pixar. It may not recapture the emotional depth of the original, but it delivers an imaginative, energetic sequel that hits familiar beats with warmth and wit.

The film picks up with Riley at thirteen, on the edge of adolescence. Joy, voiced by Amy Poehler, believes she has finally mastered Riley’s emotional balance. But when a blaring puberty alarm sounds, a new crew arrives to shake things up. Anxiety (Maya Hawke) takes the lead, joined by Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos). What follows is a chaotic reshuffling of Riley’s identity as Anxiety tries to reinvent her in hopes of impressing a high school hockey star.

Anxiety is the standout, portrayed not as a villain, but as a well-intentioned emotion trying to protect Riley. Hawke brings both charm and urgency to the role, making her one of Pixar’s most compelling new characters in years. The scenes where she spirals, micromanages, and overthinks feel strikingly real. Yet the film gives her surprisingly little time with Joy, which weakens the emotional core that made the first film so powerful.

The visual world remains a highlight. From a twisted version of Imagination Land to the surreal “Mount Crushmore,” the film is packed with clever gags and vivid landscapes. But the emotional arc feels more programmed than profound. The new emotions are entertaining, but none of them match the poignancy of Bing Bong. Some fade into the background too quickly, and others, like Ennui, lean a little too hard on one-note jokes.

There is also a troubling dynamic at play. Riley’s diverse group of friends mainly serves to support her growth, even when she treats them poorly. The film asks them to forgive her without truly earning that forgiveness, reinforcing a familiar pattern where characters of color absorb a white protagonist’s emotional mess without much complexity of their own.

Still, the film is charming, often funny, and genuinely thoughtful. Its strongest moments tap into the pressure of early adolescence and the confusion of reshaping who you are in the eyes of others. It reminds us that trying to be someone you are not, even for approval, leads only to disconnection. A late scene on the ice, where Riley skates with joy rather than ambition, is as moving as anything Pixar has done in years.

Inside Out 2 is not groundbreaking, but it is satisfying. It will resonate with teenagers trying to navigate the impossible task of fitting in, and it may even help some adults remember what it felt like to be thirteen. At its core, the film says what we all need to hear: you are allowed to feel everything, and you do not have to earn love by being perfect.