Why Inside Out 2 is my favourite animated movie
As a psychologist and mum, I’ve long been preoccupied by how we can help children understand and regulate their emotions in healthy ways. While many films attempt to address the complexities of emotions, Inside Out 2, like its predecessor, stands out as an extraordinary teaching tool for both children and parents. Full disclosure: I watched this movie at the cinema with my 7 and 8 year old kids- and it went completely over their heads! I had to resist nudging them at every interval to say “Guys! That part is true! That part is science!” I bit my tongue and pledged to watch it each year until the concepts make sense.
This animated masterpiece doesn’t just entertain—it provides an accessible and scientifically accurate representation of how emotions, memories, and schemas interact, offering valuable insights into emotional development and mental health.
Emotional Complexity and the Science Behind It
At the heart of Inside Out 2 is the continuation of Riley’s journey, the young girl whose emotions are personified as characters: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. The film explores how these core emotions guide her through everyday experiences and significant life transitions. One of the most striking elements of the movie is how it highlights the importance of emotional diversity.
Multiple Emotions Are Necessary for Well-Being
The original Inside Out emphasized that joy cannot be the only emotion we experience and that sadness has its place in emotional balance. In the sequel, this concept is expanded, with the introduction of new emotions like Anxiety and Envy which further enrich the narrative by demonstrating how complex emotions emerge during adolescence.
This portrayal aligns with the scientific understanding of emotions as adaptive mechanisms that serve crucial purposes. As psychologists we teach that core emotions are universal and evolve to help humans respond to challenges and opportunities in their environment. Emotions like sadness signal the need for support, while anger mobilises us to act against perceived injustices. By showing how Riley’s emotions interact, Inside Out 2 provides a compelling way for children to see that all emotions are vital- thereby encouraging a stance of acceptance.
Memory and Its Influence on Emotional Schemas
One of the most psychologically insightful aspects of Inside Out 2 is its exploration of how memory and emotions shape schemas. As a schema nerd myself- the inclusion of this in the film had me jumping out of my seat! Schemas are mental frameworks that help us organise and interpret information. In the film, memories are depicted as glowing orbs stored in Riley’s mind, each imbued with a particular emotion. Over time, these memories form the foundation of Riley’s core beliefs and self-concept—what psychologists would refer to as core schemas.
The Role of Emotion in Memory Formation
Research shows that emotionally charged memories are more likely to be stored in long-term memory due to the brain’s limbic system, particularly the amygdala, which processes emotional stimuli. Inside Out 2 accurately illustrates this by depicting how important emotional experiences (e.g., moments of joy with family or sadness during times of change) contribute to the development of core memories, which in turn influence how Riley sees the world and herself.
The film takes this one step further by showing how memories are not fixed; they can be reinterpreted and coloured by different emotions over time. For example, a memory that was initially joyful may later become tinged with sadness or regret as Riley reflects on it from a new perspective. This is consistent with reconsolidation theory, which posits that memories can change when they are recalled and integrated with new emotional or cognitive information.
Schemas in Action
As Riley grows and faces more complex social situations, her schemas evolve. Inside Out 2 shows how these emotional memories impact her developing schemas, particularly around relationships, self-worth, and coping strategies. For instance, the film beautifully captures how Riley’s understanding of friendship shifts from simple play to deeper bonds with emotional nuance as she enters adolescence.
The film illustrates what psychologists describe as schema modification, where old schemas are adjusted based on new experiences, emotions, and memories. This is an essential developmental process that can lead to resilience if children are given the space to process and integrate their feelings, something the film emphasizes through Riley’s emotional journey.
Emotional Regulation and Cognitive Flexibility
Another key psychological concept explored in Inside Out 2 is emotional regulation—the ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in adaptive ways. The film shows how Riley’s brain, represented as the control center of her emotions, becomes more complex and capable of balancing her emotions over time.
This mirrors research in neuroscience, which shows that as the prefrontal cortex matures, children develop greater capacity for executive functions like emotional regulation and perspective-taking. Inside Out 2 subtly but effectively conveys this through visual metaphors, such as Riley’s emotions learning to work together rather than compete for control.
As psychologists, we understand that helping children develop emotional awareness and regulation early on sets the foundation for mental well-being later in life. Inside Out 2 not only captures the intricacies of this process but does so in a way that is accessible, engaging, and highly relevant to both children and adults. This film is an invaluable resource for parents and educators alike, offering insights that align with our scientific understanding of emotions, memory, and cognitive development.
My review: 10/10!
Sariah Scott
Clinical Psychologist