Inside Out 2delves into the complex relationship between emotions, beliefs, and the development of a Sense of Self, particularly during thetumultuous period of adolescence, wherenewInside Outemotions are introduced. Riley, the film’s protagonist, undergoes a significant transformation as she navigates the complexities of growing up.
The Belief System, avisual representation of Riley’s internal processes, plays a crucial role in shaping her Sense of Self inInside Out 2,which is now streaming on Disney+. Emotions like Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear contribute to the formation of beliefs by introducing memories into the Belief System. A balanced Sense of Self requires acknowledging both positive and negative emotions.
Riley’s 3 Different Sense Of Selfs In Inside Out 2 Explained
Riley’s Senses Of Self Represent Key Phases In Integration
Riley’s original Sense of Self wascharacterized by positive beliefssuch as being a good person, a winner, brave, kind, and a good friend. She also held beliefs like homework being illegal andInside Out 2’sband, Get Up and Glow being the best music group ever. These are the simpler beliefs one can expect from being a child, before becoming more self-aware and self-conscious. The movie is designed for people of all ages to relate to challenging experiences during formative adolescence.
After experiencing anxiety and forming a new Sense of Self,Riley’s beliefs shifted. She became concerned about being alone, needing friends, and not being good enough. She must integrate and reframe these beliefs for a healthy balance. Her newly formed Sense of Self included both positive and negative beliefs, such as being selfish, kind, not good enough, a good person, needing to fit in, being brave but scared, valuing success, making mistakes, being nice and mean, and being both a good and terrible friend.
How Riley’s Emotions & Belief System Connects To Her Sense Of Self
Riley’s Identity Is Informed By Her Fluctuating Emotions
Riley’s Sense of Self is in a constant state of flux. As she experiences new challenges and triumphs, herbeliefs and self-perception evolve. This dynamic is a key takeaway fromInside Out 2. It highlights the importance of acknowledging and addressing both positive and negative emotions. Her turbulent emotions affect her Sense of Self throughout. For instance, Riley’s mother accompanies her to try out for a new hockey team, but Riley soon grows discouraged when she can’t perform up to her usual standards. Frustrated, she throws her stick aside and abandons the tryout. This contributes to her feelings of inferiority.
As a result of her anxious Sense of Self,Riley believes she’s not good enough. Riley alsodyes her hair red to blend withInside Out 2’s hockey team, driven by this belief. Joy tries to counteract this by releasing a flood of previously suppressed negative memories into the Belief System. However, as seen in the film, this approach is not entirely effective. While positive memories can temporarily boost Riley’s mood and self-esteem, they cannot completely erase the negative beliefs that have taken root. Riley must learn integration. Bad memories must combine with existing positive and anxious beliefs to shape a new Sense of Self and Belief System.
What Riley’s Main Beliefs Are In Inside Out 2
Riley Has Core Beliefs That Are Challenged In The Movie
Riley’s main beliefs shift during her adolescence inInside Out 2.The mechanism for this is the Belief System visualized in the movie. The Belief System draws its foundation from a pool of consciousness. When Joy and Sadness first descend into this pool, we witness small waterfalls of consciousness naturally delivering memories from the stream of consciousness. Later, we see the broccoli memory also flowing into this pool. The pool utilizes these memories to shape beliefs, which in turn coalesce into the Sense of Self.
Inside Out 2was the first animated film to hit $1 billion at the worldwide box office.
Joy deviates from the natural process by artificially filtering bad memories and sending them to the back of the mind, whileprioritizing those she deems worthyand positive. This interference with the natural filtration process leads to a simplistic, reductive, and fragile Sense of Self, defined solely by the belief"I’m a good person.“Later, when the suppressed memories flood back and reach the beliefs pool, Joy forms a more balanced Sense of Self. This new perspective acknowledges both her efforts to be good and her imperfections, avoiding the extremes of"I’m all good"or"I’m not good enough"inInside Out 2’sending.
How Anxiety Changes Riley’s Sense Of Self & Belief System
Anxiety Wreaks Havoc On Parts Of Herself She Previously Took For Granted
The Belief System is a hidden area beneath Headquarters where emotions influence Riley’s self-perception. It’s directly linked to her Sense of Self. WhenAnxiety arrives and damages this sense of self, Riley introduces negative memories into the Belief System, leading to the growth of anxious beliefs. The more negative memories she adds, the more prominent these beliefs become. Her self-absorption becomes overwhelming, leading to toxic thinking, harmful behavior towards others, and a loss of her true self amidst these unhealthy thought patterns.
In counseling, a popular approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This framework focuses on examining an individual’s underlying beliefs and assessing their accuracy or falsehood. CBT helps clients identify andchallenge unhelpful thought patternsthat may be contributing to negative emotions or behaviors.Inside Out 2seems to be an allegory for this therapeutic process of coping with anxiety. Riley’s negative memories combine with existing positive and anxious beliefs to shape a new Sense of Self and Belief System. The integration results inRiley’s smile at the end ofInside Out 2, a sign of deep fulfillment.
Why Riley Didn’t Have The Sense Of Self In Inside Out
Riley Was Too Young For This Emotional Complexity Before
InInside Out, Riley is still a young girl, and her Sense of Self is still developing. As a child, her worldview is simpler and less complex than that of an adult. She is more focused on immediate needs and desires, and her understanding of herself and the world is still forming. This is reflected in her belief system. As a child, she primarily focuses onpositive beliefs that support her sense of self-worthand happiness. These beliefs are essential for her development, but they are also limited in scope. Director Kelsey Mann said:“We started thinking about teenagers and how you start to become your own person. You start to develop your own set of beliefs.”(viaEntertainment Weekly)
The limited nature of Riley’s Sense of Self inInside Outis also a reflection of her reliance on her parents. As a child, she is still heavily dependent on her parents for emotional support and guidance. In contrast,Riley’s parents play a smaller role inInside Out 2. As she grows older, shebecomes more independentand develops a more complex and nuanced Sense of Self. This development is reflected in the changing nature of her beliefs and her ability to navigate the challenges of life with greater maturity and resilience inInside Out 2.
Inside Out 2
Cast
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.
