Inside Out 2 Review – A Beautifully Chaotic Look at Emotions

Inside Out 2 isn’t just a sequel – it’s a masterpiece of emotional storytelling. This time, Pixar takes us deeper into Riley’s mind as she enters adolescence, a phase filled with new emotions, uncertainty, and identity struggles. As a home-educating single mum, I watched this with my kids, expecting a lighthearted sequel. Instead, I got a beautifully complex, scientifically accurate, and deeply moving exploration of how we process emotions.

A Story That Grows With You

Set two years after the original, Riley is now a teenager. Her core emotions – Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust – return, but they’re no longer alone. Enter:

Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke) – Overthinking, planning, predicting every possible disaster.
Embarrassment – That gut-wrenching feeling when you trip in public.
Envy – Comparing yourself to others and feeling not quite enough.
Ennui – The teenage “meh” attitude we all know too well.

These new emotions perfectly capture the complexity of adolescence. Anxiety, in particular, isn’t portrayed as a villain but rather as a necessary guide – something many of us can relate to.

A Visual and Emotional Masterpiece

Pixar nails the animation once again. The world inside Riley’s mind is even more vivid, chaotic, and beautifully overwhelming than before. The contrast between her younger emotions and the new ones is both hilarious and thought-provoking. One standout moment? The way memories shift and evolve as Riley grows. What once felt joyful can now feel embarrassing or even painful – a strikingly real depiction of how our emotions change over time.

Why Inside Out 2 Is More Than Just a Kids’ Movie

💡 It Teaches Emotional Intelligence – Kids learn that all emotions serve a purpose, even the uncomfortable ones. 😂 It’s Funny, but Deep – The humour is on point, but so is the emotional gut-punch (yes, I teared up). 🧠 It’s Psychologically Accurate – The film mirrors real cognitive development in a way both kids and adults can appreciate.

Parenting Takeaways: What Inside Out 2 Taught Me

Watching this as a mum, I couldn’t help but reflect on how emotions shape our children.

Anxiety isn’t always bad – It’s protective, but too much can be overwhelming.
Sadness is necessary – It helps us process change and loss.
Let kids feel their emotions – Instead of pushing feelings aside, we should help them navigate and understand them.

Final Thoughts: A Must-Watch for All Ages

Inside Out 2 is witty, deeply insightful, and visually stunning. Whether you’re a parent, a teenager, or just someone who remembers the chaos of growing up, this movie will stay with you long after the credits roll. 🎬 Have you watched it yet? Let’s talk emotions in the comments!

Is It Worth Buying?

When we review products on Darling Mellow, we test them in real family life — not in a studio or for a single afternoon. Our reviews reflect weeks or months of actual use, with real children, in real UK homes. We only recommend things we’d genuinely buy with our own money or already have in our house.

If a product doesn’t live up to the hype, we’ll say so. If there’s a cheaper alternative that does the same job, we’ll tell you about it. Our priority is always giving you honest, practical information so you can make the best decision for your family and your budget.

For more honest product reviews and recommendations, browse our Family Life Hub. And if you’re looking for tools that genuinely make parenting easier, our Shop has practical resources designed by a UK mum, for UK mums.

Free Quiz

What's Your Parenting Style?

10 questions. 2 minutes. No sign-up required.

Take the Quiz →

Free to join