Turning Movie Moments into Family Convos
At this point, nearly everyone is familiar with Inside Out. This movie was groundbreaking in its fun yet realistic depiction of childhood emotions. Inside Out took you on a whirlwind journey through the emotional landscape of an 11-year-old girl named Riley. The film cleverly personified her emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—as quirky characters navigating the chaos of a big move from Minnesota to San Francisco. As Joy and Sadness get lost in the labyrinth of Riley’s mind, the movie deftly explored how our emotions interact and shape our experiences. The emotional depth and creativity in this Pixar gem provide a profound look at the inner workings of our psyche. It’s a touching reminder that every emotion has its place and purpose, even in the most tumultuous times.
As child therapists, you could imagine our reaction when Inside Out 2 was released in June. The office was vibrating with anticipatory excitement! Emma Healy, LCSW rushed to the theaters to view it and review it for you! Emma gives you the scoop on how the movie matches up to the real-life experiences of adolescents - and offers some incredible tips on how to view the movie with your child! So, keep reading!
SPOILER ALERT - We’ll be sharing lots of details from the movie…
If you don’t already know, Inside Out 2 picks up where the first film left off, diving back into Riley's evolving emotional world as she navigates the tricky waters of adolescence. The sequel introduces new emotions to reflect her maturing experiences, adding fresh dynamics and challenges to her mental landscape. Joy and Sadness continue to play pivotal roles, but now they’re joined by complex new emotions that mirror the intricate feelings of growing up. The film skillfully captures the turbulence of teenage life while also offering an insightful exploration of how identity and self-perception shift over time. With its signature blend of humor and heart, Inside Out 2 delivers a compelling message about embracing the full spectrum of our emotional journey.
As a child therapist (Hi, it’s me, Emma), I find immense joy in movies like "Inside Out" and "Inside Out 2." The sequel, in particular, brings fresh and compelling concepts to the table, especially in how it highlights the full spectrum of emotions beyond just the "positive" ones. Inside Out 2 introduces more nuanced emotions and showcases how core beliefs and belief systems shape our experiences, making it a valuable resource for discussing feelings with children. Like its predecessor, this film serves as an excellent tool for opening conversations about emotions and experiences. Here at Mind Chicago, we'll definitely be leveraging it to explore clients' experiences with anxiety and their underlying beliefs.
Many of the clients and families I work with seek support for a couple of primary challenges: anxiety/panic and patterns of unhelpful or stuck thinking. In my review of Inside Out 2, I’ll touch on these areas separately, highlighting how the film's themes and insights can illuminate and address these common concerns. Excited? I am!
Anxiety
Since school is right around the corner, why don’t we start with anxiety? Anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by persistent worry, fear, or unease that can interfere with daily life. In teens, it often manifests as excessive worry about school, social interactions, or future events, sometimes leading to physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. Your teen might also show avoidance behaviors, such as skipping activities or giving you creative excuses not to hang out with friends. Anxiety can cause a constant state of heightened alertness, making it challenging for teens to relax or focus. Understanding these signs is crucial for providing the right support and helping them develop effective coping strategies.
In Inside Out 2, Anxiety makes a memorable debut as a character who's both quiet and excitable, with a genuine eagerness to assist Riley. However, it doesn’t take long for Anxiety to start dominating the scene, driven by a relentless desire to manage every situation. As she takes charge, she begins sidelining Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger, imposing her own strategies on Riley’s emotional landscape. This shift highlights how overwhelming and consuming anxiety can be, often overshadowing other crucial emotions. It’s a powerful depiction of how anxiety can take control and reshape our inner world. Sound familiar?
While we often wish we could simply "get rid" of anxiety, it’s a natural and integral emotion that has been part of our survival toolkit for centuries. Like fear, anxiety plays a crucial role in helping us navigate potential dangers. As Anxiety points out in the film, “[Fear] keeps Riley safe from things she can see. My job is to keep her safe from things she can’t see.” The movie cleverly illustrates how anxiety can serve a protective function, heightening our awareness and motivating us to address challenges. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, it can interfere with friendships, school, and other essential aspects of life, as seen with Riley’s struggles during her hockey camp experience.
A panic attack is a brief episode of intense fear that prompts physiological reactions such as shortness of breath, trembling, nausea, pounding heart, and chest pain. Panic attacks can also create a sense of “impending doom,” which can feel really scary. One of the most interesting parts of the film (from a therapist’s perspective) was how accurately the Inside Out 2 team portrayed a panic attack. Riley, the main character, experiences a racing heart, difficulty breathing, and dizziness - all classic symptoms of a panic attack. Riley’s panic attack doesn’t last long… As all the emotion characters help Anxiety let go of the controls, we see Riley “calm down.” Riley pays special attention to the sounds around her, the feeling of the bench beneath her, and the view of the sun across the hockey rink. Again, I can’t help myself… As a child therapist, I appreciate this deliberate incorporation of mindfulness, a core practice at Mind Chicago, as it shows how grounding techniques can be transformative in managing anxiety and regaining control during distressing moments.
Core beliefs
In Inside Out 2, we’re introduced to the concept of Riley’s belief system, showing how memories contribute to forming core beliefs—deep-seated views about ourselves, others, and the world. These core beliefs are shaped by our experiences, upbringing, culture, and significant life events, influencing how we perceive and interact with the world. At the beginning of the film, Riley’s core belief is “I’m a good person,” but this gets challenged when Anxiety starts to take over. As Anxiety distorts Riley’s self-view into “I’m not good enough,” we see her behavior shift dramatically, including distancing herself from friends.
What we love about "Inside Out 2" is its portrayal of core beliefs as flexible rather than fixed. The movie beautifully illustrates that with introspection and support, we can reshape our belief systems to be more adaptive. By identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs and incorporating new, realistic perspectives, we can improve our thoughts and behaviors. This journey is depicted when Riley, alongside her emotions, starts integrating a more nuanced set of beliefs into her system, like “I’m a good person” and “I need help sometimes.”
At Mind Chicago, we embrace the film’s message that all emotions are valid and valuable. As Dacher Keltner, one of the psychologists who consulted on the film, notes, “The central mission of the Inside Out movies is to show that all emotions are healthy, and having a rich, complex emotional life is the best place to be.” We’re excited to continue using "Inside Out 2" to help young people understand and embrace the full spectrum of their emotions.
5 tips for parents
Watching Inside Out 2 with your kids is a fantastic way to dive into conversations about emotions and mental well-being. The film's engaging portrayal of Riley’s emotional landscape offers a rich opportunity to explore how feelings influence our thoughts and actions. From a therapist’s perspective, this movie can be a powerful tool to help children understand and articulate their own emotions. To make the most of this experience, here are five tips to guide your discussions and deepen your child's emotional awareness while enjoying the film together.
Pause and Discuss. As you watch "Inside Out 2," take breaks to talk with your kids about what’s happening on screen. Ask them how they think Riley is feeling and why, and discuss how different emotions are portrayed. This can help them connect the movie’s themes to their own experiences and feelings.
Explore Core Beliefs. Use Riley’s evolving core beliefs as a springboard to talk about your child’s own beliefs about themselves and the world. Ask questions like, “What do you believe about yourself when you’re feeling anxious or sad?” This can foster meaningful conversations about self-perception and growth.
Identify Emotions. Encourage your kids to identify and label their own emotions as they watch the film. For example, if Riley is experiencing a panic attack, discuss how that might feel in real life and how they might recognize similar feelings in themselves. This practice can build emotional awareness and vocabulary.
Practice Mindfulness. Highlight the scenes where Riley uses mindfulness to calm herself, and discuss how these techniques can be applied in real life. Teach your kids simple mindfulness exercises, like focusing on their breathing or paying attention to their senses, to help manage their own stress and anxiety.
Normalize Emotional Experiences. Reinforce the film’s message that all emotions, including the difficult ones, are normal and important. Use the movie as an opportunity to discuss how experiencing a range of emotions is part of being human, and that it’s okay to feel and express these emotions.
When you need more support
After watching Inside Out 2 with your kids and discussing the film’s emotional themes, you might find that you need additional support to navigate their feelings or address deeper concerns. This is perfectly normal and an important step in ensuring your child's emotional well-being. Here are some steps to consider if you find you need more support after your movie night.
First, reflect on the discussions you had. If certain emotions or themes resonated strongly with your child or brought up new issues, take note of these. Understanding what aspects of the film sparked significant reactions can help you focus your efforts on areas that may need more attention or support.
Consider reaching out to a child therapist. These professionals can provide a brave, affirming space for your child to explore and express their feelings more deeply. They can offer personalized strategies and tools to manage emotions, build resilience, and address any underlying issues that may have surfaced. A therapist can also guide you in supporting your child at home with practical techniques tailored to their needs.
Engage in ongoing conversations with your child. If the film has opened up new discussions or highlighted existing concerns, keep the dialogue going. Use the movie as a springboard to talk about their feelings, experiences, and any worries they might have. Regular, open conversations can help your child feel supported and understood.
Incorporate mindfulness and coping strategies into your daily routine. The mindfulness techniques highlighted in the film can be especially useful for managing anxiety and stress. Practice these techniques together, and encourage your child to use them when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Consistent practice can help build emotional resilience and provide practical tools for handling challenging moments.
Finally, connect with support networks or parenting groups. Sharing experiences with other parents can provide additional insights and strategies. Online forums, local support groups, or school resources can offer valuable advice and a sense of community. Engaging with others who have similar experiences can help you feel more supported and provide additional perspectives on managing emotional challenges.
Taking these steps can enhance the support you offer your child and address any lingering concerns that arose after watching Inside Out 2. Remember, seeking additional help and continuing the conversation are proactive ways to support your child's emotional development and well-being.
Authored by Mind Chicago therapist Emma Healy, LCSW
