Inside Out 2

Two years after moving to San Francisco, thirteen-year-old Riley is entering high school, and her familiar emotions we met in the first film (Joy, Fear, Anger, Sadness, and Disgust) have been successfully managing her mind’s headquarters while building her “Sense of Self” from cherished memories. Everything changes as Riley matures, and headquarters must make room for entirely new emotions, including Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui.

As Riley prepares for a crucial hockey camp where she hopes to make her high school’s team, the new emotions take control of the console, believing they know what’s best for Riley’s future, especially Anxiety. Joy and the original emotions find themselves pushed aside as Anxiety attempts to reshape Riley’s sense of self, leading to a crisis that forces all the emotions to learn that every feeling, including the uncomfortable ones, plays an important role in making Riley who she is.

Inside Out 2 offers a relatable portrayal of growing up, exploring the challenges of struggling to control new emotions while forming a healthy and resilient self-image. Rated PG, this Pixar sequel is family-friendly, but is particularly well-suited for older children and teens who can better relate to its themes of adolescence and identity formation.

While the film’s resolution is ultimately a secular one, Catholic families may find it serves as an excellent launching point for discussing how faith, prayer, and trust in God can offer a deeper perspective on navigating anxiety and the challenges of growing up.

Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Rated PG
OSV News classification: A-II
91% on Rotten Tomatoes
IMDb Parents Guide
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