Summary
- Inside Out 2 features many heartbreaking and heartwarming scenes that will induce tears among viewers.
- Some of the most emotional moments in the 2024 Pixar film include Riley's anxiety attack and Joy's quote about feeling less joy as one grows older.
- Inside Out 2 also has a few scenes that will cause happy tears to form.
Since the first movie is known for its tear-jerker moments, it was inevitable that Inside Out 2 would contain its fair share of emotional scenes and devastating lines. As a matter of fact, the sequel might have had more tear-inducing moments than Inside Out did when the Pixar film premiered in 2015, which is a tremendous feat. With the addition of new Inside Out emotions (Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui), Riley hitting puberty, and the reality of growing up getting thrown in the characters' faces overnight, Inside Out 2 had many heartbreaking and heartwarming moments to spare.
Inside Out 2 picks up one year after Inside Out's ending, with Riley turning 13 and about to enter high school. One day, Riley's puberty alarm goes off, resulting in the arrival of four new emotions — Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui. Anxiety is undoubtedly the leader of the group and immediately (successfully) tries to take over control from Joy. As Inside Out 2 continues, the original emotions (Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger) struggle to adapt to the changes in Riley's mind, while the young teenager consequently faces an identity crisis in real life.
10 Riley's Reaction To Learning Her Friends Were Going To A Different School
The Teen Breaks Down At Hockey Camp
Inside Out 2 introduces the audience to Riley's two best friends — Bree and Grace, who also happen to be her hockey teammates. The trio is evidently very close, so, it's just as heartbreaking to viewers as it is to Riley when she learns that Bree and Grace will be attending a different high school than Riley. This revelation arguably kick-starts Inside Out 2's story (at least, for Riley) as it immediately sends Riley into a spiral.
While she holds it together in the car, once they get to hockey camp, Riley says goodbye to her parents as Bree and Grace run off somewhere. After her mom and dad drive away, Riley breaks down and Sadness guides her through her tears. Joy, having learned a lot since the events of Inside Out, tells Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger, "It's okay. We need this." The original emotions in Riley's mind in Inside Out 2 let Riley cry before she wipes her tears away and marches on toward hockey camp.
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9 Riley's New Sense Of Self
Anxiety Throws Away Riley's Original Sense Of Self & Creates A New One
The concept of one's Sense of Self is established at the beginning of the box office record-breaking movie Inside Out 2. Riley's Sense of Self is made up of all her beliefs, including that she's a good person, kind, strong, brave, and many more positive attributes. However, when Anxiety enters the picture, she gets rid of Riley's original Sense of Self and constructs a new one with anxiety-ridden memories. Instead of being proud of herself, Riley's new Sense of Self tells her she's not good enough.
Without meaning to do so, Anxiety puts too much pressure on Riley by making her think that she'll have friends if she's good at hockey and many other dangerous beliefs. Of course, this leads to many other tear-jerking moments, but hearing Riley's voice in her mind say that she's not good enough is utterly heartbreaking. This Inside Out 2 scene can also be uncomfortable because it's relatable to many, possibly making those who can empathize shed a tear or two.
8 Joy Snapping At Fear, Anger, & Disgust
Joy Subsequently Breaks Down Over Riley Not Needing Her
Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger's mission to return to headquarters is extremely difficult in Inside Out 2. At one point, when everything seems hopeless, Joy persists. However, Fear, Disgust, and Anger are resigned to giving up, thinking that the old Riley is gone and nothing can be done about it. Anger even tells Joy she's delusional for having hope, which sets off Amy Poehler's character in the Inside Out sequel, resulting in her breakdown.
Inside Out 2 Cast | Role |
---|---|
Kensington Tallman | Riley |
Amy Poehler | Joy |
Phyllis Smith | Sadness |
Lewis Black | Anger |
Tony Hale | Fear |
Liza Lapira | Disgust |
Maya Hawke | Anxiety |
Diane Lane | Mom |
Ayo Edebiri | Envy |
Adèle Exarchopoulos | Ennui |
Paul Walter | Embarrassment |
Kyle MacLachlan | Dad |
Lilimar | Val Ortiz |
Yvette Nicole Brown | Coach Roberts |
Ron Funches | Bloofy |
James Austin Johnson | Pouchy |
Yong Yea | Lance Slashblade |
Steve Purcell | Deep Dark Secret |
Joy expresses (quite loudly) that she knows she's delusional and that it's so hard to remain positive when everyone else is complaining. After getting that all out of her system, Joy sits down, pulls her knees to her chest, and, with tears in her eyes, says, "Anxiety is right. Riley doesn't need us as much as she needs them. And that hurts. It really hurts." Surprisingly, Anger is the one to give Joy a pep talk and makes her see that they can't give up. Despite all their losses, they carry on in Inside Out 2, resulting in a tear-inducing moment.
7 Joy's Quote About Growing Up
"Maybe This Is What Happens When You Grow Up. You Feel Less Joy."
One of the best quotes in Inside Out 2 comes after Anxiety destroys Joy, Fear, Disgust, and Anger's seemingly last hope of returning to headquarters with Riley's original Sense of Self. Disgust asks Joy what their plan is, and Joy responds that she doesn't know. Utterly defeated, Joy says, "I don't know how to stop Anxiety. Maybe we can't. Maybe this is what happens when you grow up — you feel less joy." And that Inside Out 2 quote has the power to break any adult's heart.
[Joy's] realization that Riley might feel less joy as she gets older (and therefore, doesn't need Amy Poehler's Inside Out 2 character as much) is among the biggest and most memorable moments in the 2024 Pixar film.
Of course, Joy carries on and refuses to give up. However, her realization that Riley might feel less joy as she gets older (and therefore, doesn't need Amy Poehler's Inside Out 2 character as much) is among the biggest and most memorable moments in the 2024 Pixar film. After seeing it in theaters, many took to the internet and social media to express how Joy's quote about being less happy as one grows up made them feel and how they could relate to it.
6 Riley's Anxiety Attack
Anxiety Overwhelms Headquarters
The most significant and harrowing scene in Inside Out 2 comes during its climax when Riley experiences an anxiety attack, which had been building since Anxiety arrived at headquarters. During a hockey game, Riley, too absorbed in her thoughts (telling her she isn't good enough), is determined to change Coach Roberts' mind about her. However, Riley is too focused on proving herself when she accidentally runs into Grace, injuring her. Consequently, Riley is sent to the penalty box, where she has an anxiety attack.
Inside Out 2's anxiety attack scene is very accurate to what it's like to have one in real life, and for anyone who experiences anxiety attacks, the moment is heartwrenching. It will make many cry as they watch as Riley struggles to breathe in the penalty box and Anxiety causes a storm in headquarters. The sequence is much too relatable for many, and seeing anxiety being represented so well in a Pixar movie is wonderful (even if it brings about tears).
5 Anxiety's Apology To Joy
Anxiety Thought She Was Protecting Riley
Maya Hawke's Anxiety comes to realize how she was wrong to make Riley fear everything and always prepare for the worst in Inside Out 2. During the anxiety attack, Joy breaks through Anxiety's storm and attempts to stir her from her paralysis. Joy tells Anxiety that she doesn't get to choose who Riley is and that she needs to let her go. The original emotion breaks through to the new one and pulls her out of the storm once she lets go of the control panel.
Inside Out 2 is the first film of 2024 to make over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, and it's well on its way to becoming Pixar's highest-grossing movie of all time.
Afterward, Anxiety is distraught and tearfully tells Joy, "I'm sorry. I was just trying to protect her. But you're right. We don't get to choose who Riley is." Even though Anxiety is regarded as the villain of Inside Out 2, she never had evil intentions. She wholeheartedly believed that she was helping Riley by giving her all these anxiety-ridden beliefs. As a result, viewers can't help but empathize with Anxiety during this moment in the Inside Out sequel.
4 Riley Reconciling With Bree & Grace
Riley Apologizes To Her Friends After Her Anxiety Attack
After Joy lets a new Sense of Self grow, Riley's anxiety attack subsides in Inside Out 2, and her friends, Bree and Grace, come to check on her. Riley immediately apologizes to them for being a jerk and explains her actions over the past couple of days at hockey camp. She expresses how learning that Bree and Grace were going to go to a different high school triggered her. Riley also tells them that she understands if they don't want to be her friend anymore. Thankfully, that isn't the case.
Bree and Grace forgive Riley, and the three friends share a tender hug. The characters break apart and return to the hockey game, and the moment between Riley, Bree, and Grace is one of the brighter spots in the 2024 animated coming-of-age movie. Riley finally returns to herself, and it's difficult to refrain from crying during the Inside Out 2 scene.
3 Riley Wanting Joy After Her Anxiety Attack
Riley's Mind Calls To Joy
Before Riley returns to the hockey game in Inside Out 2, she (unknowingly, of course) calls to Joy. In her mind, Joy's essence gravitates towards the control panel, and Sadness tells Amy Poehler's Inside Out 2 character, "Joy, Riley wants you." So, Joy goes to the control panel and touches it, giving Riley some happiness after a long-winded anxiety attack. Knowing how much Joy cares about Riley and the special bond the two characters share, seeing Joy reunite with Riley after a treacherous journey is surely tear-jerking. Of course, Riley won't always be happy, but she deserves this moment of peace.
Movie | Tomatometer | Audience Score |
---|---|---|
Inside Out | 98% | 89% |
Inside Out 2 | 91% | 96% |
2 Riley Rediscovers Her Love For Hockey
Joy Relieves Riley's Anxiety Concerning Hockey Camp
Once Joy takes over the control panel near the end of Inside Out 2, Riley forgets all her previous worries about impressing Coach Roberts. The teenager simply lets herself enjoy being on the ice and playing the game she loves so much. Instead of hockey being a source of anxiety for Riley, as it had been during the entirety of camp, playing the sport brings Riley peace and glee during Inside Out 2's closing moments.
Given Inside Out 2's success at the box office and Pixar's latest promise to focus on sequels, more Inside Out movies are undoubtedly on the way (perhaps with the introduction of even more new emotions).
With Joy in the driver's seat, Riley is able to fully take in the hockey game and let go of all the pressure she previously felt to be perfect and "good enough." The young girl rediscovers her love for the sport, and seeing Riley be so carefree is like a breath of fresh air for the audience. She can finally be herself, and the scene is among the most emotional and heartwarming ones in Pixar's Inside Out 2.
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1 Inside Out 2's Ending Scene
Riley Learns If She Makes The Hockey Team
Inside Out 2's ending is a bit ambiguous as it does not technically reveal whether Riley makes the high school hockey team (but it implies that she does). It's up to the audience to interpret whether the proud look on Riley's face after seeing the results on her phone means she is a Firehawk or if she has to wait another year to be on the team. However, the moment is heartwarming all the same.
As Inside Out 2 comes to a close, Joy's narration expresses how much they all love Riley, with all the good and bad parts of her, and it's nearly impossible not to be teary-eyed when the movie ends.
Over the course of the 2024 Pixar movie, Riley had been stressed and anxious about being good enough to be a Firehawk. Anxiety made her believe she would make new friends if she scored a spot on the team. However, Riley came to realize that wasn't the case and was at peace with any outcome. As Inside Out 2 comes to a close, Joy's narration expresses how much they all love Riley, with all the good and bad parts of her, and it's nearly impossible not to be teary-eyed when the movie ends.
Inside Out 2
3.5
PG
Adventure
Comedy
Animation
Inside Out 2 is the sequel to the 2015 original film, which starred a young girl named Riley with a head full of emotions. - literally. With Amy Pohler as Joy, Bill Hader as fear, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, and Lewis Black as Anger, the all-star cast brought to life the emotions that adolescents face as they grow, change, and adapt to new situations. This sequel, currently in development, will bring Amy Pohler back as Joy, with Riley, now a teenager.
- Director
- Kelsey Mann
- Release Date
- June 14, 2024
- Distributor(s)
- Disney
- Cast
- Amy Poehler , Tony Hale , Maya Hawke , Liza Lapira , Lewis Black , Phyllis Smith , Diane Lane
- Runtime
- 96 Minutes
- prequel(s)
- Inside Out