SALT LAKE CITY — Nearly two months have passed since Disney and Pixar released their latest film, “Inside Out 2,” giving millions of audiences time to digest the experience.
The latest installment in the Inside Out series takes viewers on a journey through the mind of protagonist Riley as she enters her teenage years. It follows on from the first film, which introduced the core emotions embodied by the character: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. The sequel introduces more complex emotions such as Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment.
In an attempt to create a “new Riley,” Anxiety enlists the help of her allies to suppress her core emotions and remodel the developing teenager. Anxiety’s shenanigans ultimately lead to Riley losing her sense of self completely and, you guessed it, having a panic attack.
We are all on a journey towards healing and self-integration, and this film is a great tool for people of all ages.
–Gabby Acord, LCSW
Millions of viewers have identified with many of the experiences depicted in the film, while mental health experts have praised Inside Out 2 for its “brilliant” way of depicting the inner workings of the mind.
KSL.com spoke with two licensed clinical social workers in Utah to get their thoughts on the film and its impact in the larger world of mental health.
“A lot of the work on the inner child is done through an internal family systems way, and this film was just a really beautiful visual representation of that.” Mood Psychotherapy and Coaching, In Bountiful he said:
Internal Family Systems Or IFS, the idea that every human being is a system of defensive and wounded inner parts guided by a core self, and that all minds operate on the premise that they are “diverse in nature” and have many functioning parts.
“Inside Out 2 does a really good job of illustrating that we are a collection of internal parts and how those parts form our sense of self,” Acord says. “We have these big moments where we have to decide whether or not we’re going to give up our true essence in order to belong, and then we start to form a slightly more holistic sense of self that includes an awareness of ourselves, where we recognize that there are parts of us that we don’t want, and we’re not in conflict with them, we’re just aware of them.”
Anxiety attacks
Before she reached full self-integration and enlightenment, Riley experienced anxiety-related panic attacks. New Leaf Counseling He said Pixar’s portrayal of anxiety in Sandy was “perfect.”
“I liked how anxiety shows a different side to Riley because when it takes over we see her behave in ways that don’t reflect her true personality,” she said. “Anxiety can trigger fight, flight or freeze responses, and in the film we see the freeze response during a panic attack. And you feel sympathy for her because anxiety is just trying to protect Riley.”
Acord agrees that the portrayal of anxiety, and Riley’s relationship with it, is something viewers would benefit from seeing.
“What struck me was how helpful being gentle with anxiety can be,” she said. “Her anxiety was spiraling out of control, but after she was taken out of the driver’s seat, she was given a little place to sit and some snacks. I loved that it showed her that anxiety is never what drives her, but that she needs a place to be.”
Fun for everyone
Lamson watched the film with her teenage daughter during a road trip to a national volleyball tournament. As a former college athlete herself, Lamson, who specializes in athlete mental health, said seeing Riley overcome so many obstacles as an athlete made her realize the need to raise awareness of mental health in the field. But she said the film is valuable for everyone, not just athletes.
“The editors didn’t seem to have a specific intention,” she says. “They made the movie with a general tone so that people could have their own experience. When they describe a scene and anyone can put themselves in there and get something totally different, that’s when you know it’s a good movie. It’s a great movie.”
Acord said she hopes people of all ages and walks of life can find healing in the film.
“I thought it was so beautifully made,” Acord said. “No one will watch this film and feel embarrassed that they didn’t resolve these issues sooner. We are all on a journey towards healing and self-integration, and this film is a wonderful tool for people of all ages.”
