Summary
AsInside Out’s Riley gets older,the series' protagonist accumulates crushes — both fictional and not-so-fictional. While the firstInside Outmovie spotlights Riley’s imaginary boyfriend, the sequel spends some time establishing Mt. Crushmore, an attraction in Imagination Land that was built just before Riley turned 13 years old. While Fear (Tony Hale), one of Riley’s personified emotions, can’t believe that the four people featured on Mt. Crushmore are her top “likes,” it’s clear that Riley is just starting to prioritize both romantic and platonic relationships inInside Out 2, a box office record-breakingfollow-up movie.
While the first film in Pixar’s series saw Riley navigating a big move from rural Minnesota to San Francisco, California, the secondInside Outcenters on another of Riley’s life stages: puberty.Inside Out 2’s cast of charactersgrow to accommodate Riley’s teenage emotions, adding Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) to the character’s arsenal of feelings. Plus, Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Tony Hale), Anger (Lewis Black), and Disgust (Liza Lapira) return. Needless to say,the original emotions are eager to help Riley navigate the chaos of high school.
5Jordan
This Crush Is Central To The Inside Out Short “Riley’s First Date?”
Riley’s (Kaitlyn Dias) most prominent crush in theInside Outmovies is Jordan (Ben Cox), a character who makes a more central appearance in the short filmRiley’s First Date?At the veryend ofInside Out, Jordan makes a brief appearance, but, in the short movie, he shows up to go skating with Riley and some friends,prompting the emotions to wonder about Jordan’s romantic intentions. Most of the short is seen through the eyes of Riley’s parents and their own emotions, who suspect that Jordan is Riley’s date, and that the preteens are being evasive about it.
It’s never really confirmed whether Jordan and Riley are going on an official date…
Riley’s mom (Diane Lane) tries to play it cool and get information out of her daughter about the nature of her relationship with Jordan, but her antics only annoy Riley and, in turn, her emotions. Meanwhile, Riley’s dad (Kyle MacLachlan) interrogates Jordan, misinterpreting the preteen’s absent-minded nature as impoliteness. It’s never really confirmed whether Jordan and Riley are going on an official date; it seems more like a group hangout. Based on the reactions ofall Riley’s emotions,it’s likely that Jordan is at least in crush territory — something that’s confirmed byInside Out 2’s Mt. Crushmore.
Inside Out Disney+ Spinoff Gets Exciting Tease From Riley Actor: “Something That Pixar Has Never Really Done Before”
Exclusive: Inside Out’s Riley actor, Kensington Tallman, believes that the Disney+ spin-off, Dream Productions, will be a very new concept for Pixar.
4Riley’s Imaginary Boyfriend
The Inside Out Character Was Based On Harry Styles
Pete Docter admitted that the skinny jeans-wearing Imaginary Boyfriend inInside Outwas meant to look like then-One Direction band member Harry Styles. With a very toss-able mop of hair, the Imaginary Boyfriend proudly professes that he would “die for Riley” — a trait that comes in very handy.Inside Outdoesn’t delve into the nature of the Imaginary Boyfriend(s), but the film clearly shows thatthey are thought up by Riley and printed out of a generator in Imagination Land, anInside Outlocation in Riley’s mind. It’s likely that he’s a mash-up of Riley’s actual crushes.
Inside Out vs. Inside Out 2: Which Pixar Movie Is Better
Inside Out and Inside Out 2 are both excellent movies, but when comparing their story, animation, cast, and big emotional ending, one stands out.
3Lance Slashblade
The Fictional Character Is Part Of Riley’s Mt. Crushmore In Inside Out 2
A fictional video game character that Riley secretly had a crush on when she was younger,Lance Slashblade is a Cloud Strife send-up, complete with theFinal Fantasy 7character’s longing to be a hero despite his dark, haunting past. Although he’s confident on the outside, Lance definitely has some insecurities, making him a comedic side character inInside Out 2. During the film, Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear meet Lance when they’re locked in the Vault — a place Lance believes to be his “eternal fate” too.
While Disgust is in awe of the bumbling hero, Joy can’t see the appeal at all…
Eventually, the emotions and Lance break out of the Vault. Lance inadvertently helps the emotions evade a squadron of security guards who intend to send them back to the Vault, but, afterward, he sets off on his own to pursue his true destiny. AlthoughLance Slashblade doesn’t return, the video game character makes a lasting impression. While Disgust is in awe of the bumbling hero, Joy can’t see the appeal at all — especially since Lance’s special ability involves him rolling into a ball. Still,Lance does appear on Mount Crushmore.
Inside Out 2’s New $1.4 Billion Record Is An Encouraging Sign For Pixar’s 2025 Sci-Fi Movie
Inside Out 2 has set an astonishing record with its $1.4 billion (and counting) showing at the box office, making Pixar’s future promising.
2The Other Two People On Mt. Crushmore
Jordan & Lance Are Joined By Two More Crushes In Inside Out 2
Although Jordan and Lance are prominently displayed on Mt. Crushmore, one of the main attractions in Riley’s Imagination Land, the other two figures that make up the monument aren’t as easy to identify. Still, it’s clear that Riley has at least four canonical (and current) crushes. Mount Crushmore’s sculptors seem to be re-adding Lance to the monument in the wake of his escape from the Vault. Some fans have speculated that one of the characters on Mt. Crushmore resembles Riley’s friend Bree (Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green), butInside Out 2doesn’t actually reveal the identities of the other crushes.
This Inside Out 2 Disappointment Makes Me Concerned About Elsa’s Story In Frozen 3
One disappointing choice with Pixar’s movie Inside Out 2 makes me concerned about how Disney will choose to handle Elsa’s story in Frozen 3.
1Val
Many Viewers Believe Inside Out 2’s Val Could Be A Crush
While some viewers read hockey player Valentina “Val” Ortiz (Lilimar) as the impossibly cool and talented girl that Riley wants to be friends with,other audiences have taken Riley’s flustered nature around Val — and her apparent need to impress the older student — as a sign of a budding crush. This, of course, is the main piece ofevidence thatInside Out 2’s Riley is an LGBTQ+ character, at least for those who feel that Pixar was intentionally dropping bread crumbs about Riley’s identity. InInside Out 2, Riley’s friends (and would-be friends) become more important than other relationships, so even if her dynamic with Val isn’t romantic, the feelings seem crush-adjacent.
Inside Out 2is now playing in theaters, whileInside Outis streaming on Disney+.
Inside Out 2
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.
