Directed by Kelsey Mann (The Good Dinosaur (2015); Lightyear (2022)) and starring Amy Poehler (Inside Out (2015); Baby Mama (2008); Parks and Recreation (tv series, 2009-2015)); Maya Hawke (Do Revenge (2022); Fear Street: Part One (1994); Stranger Things (tv series, 2019-2025) and Kensington Tallman (Home Sweet Rome (tv series, 2023); That Girl Lay Lay (tv series, 2021-2024); Drama Club (2021)).
Animation adventure; 96 minutes; 6+
After Inside Out (2015), the long-awaited sequel picks back up the inner life of Riley, an energetic pre-teen whose inner psychological processes are illustrated by an extensive world, led by five basic emotions. Her emotions and decisions are influenced by the sunny-tempered Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler) – in the original film, Riley’s parents move the family to a new city, making Sadness (Phyllis Smith) appear and plunging the girl into a short-lived depression. Riley eventually finds balance again, her emotions make peace and coexist happily once more by the end of the first film.
In Inside Out 2, Joy is still in charge, alongside Sadness, Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale) and Disgust (Liza Lapira) in the luminous headquarters of Riley’s mind, right behind her eyes on a large oval screen. They lead Riley’s thinking and actions, using a large and complex control console that becomes more intricate as she ages. At the end of the first film, a strange, new button labelled “puberty” appeared on the console; soon after the sequel opens, the button turns into a shrieking red alarm, sowing panic in Riley’s leading emotions.
The alarm is short-lived, however, as the headquarters are soon torn down to reveal new changes, and most importantly, new emotions are added to the mix. One of them is Anxiety (Maya Hawke), an orange apparition with a big mouth and feather-like hair, who takes command of matters in her quest to protect Riley and help her do better.
Riley is facing high stakes and a promising new adventure as she and her two best friends are invited by their high school hockey coach on a three-day camp, where players like Val Ortiz - Riley’s hero - attend.
Embarrassment, Ennui, Envy and Anxiety take over to try and change Riley in the hopes that a new version of her will impress Val. Riley's present sense of self and core beliefs are pushed away to the back of her mind while Joy and the other old emotions are exiled. It is up to Joy and company to restore Riley’s former sense of self, journeying to the back of the mind, before Anxiety upends Riley’s ability to function.
This is a touching and poignant sequel that explores more of the realm of Riley’s inner workings, with fun and colourful additions that would be entertaining for children while the film’s messages and ideas tug at the heartstrings of youth and adults alike.
Currently screening at Kinepolis and Ciné Starlight in Luxembourg.
