Inside Out | 2015

Main Plot

Inside Out centers on 11-year-old Riley, whose life is turned upside down when her family relocates from the Midwest to San Francisco. Inside her mind, five core emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—work together at Headquarters to guide her through the challenges of adapting to a new environment. As Riley struggles with homesickness and the pressures of starting over, a mishap causes Joy and Sadness to be swept away from Headquarters. With only Anger, Fear, and Disgust left in control, Riley’s behavior becomes unpredictable. Meanwhile, Joy and Sadness embark on a journey through Riley’s mind, exploring her memories and personality islands, in a race to return before Riley’s sense of self unravels. The film explores the importance of all emotions, showing that embracing sadness is sometimes necessary for healing and growth, and ultimately helps Riley find balance and acceptance in her new life.

Characters

• Amy Poehler voices Joy, the exuberant and optimistic leader of Riley’s emotions, whose relentless positivity is tested when she’s separated from headquarters and must learn the value of Sadness during Riley’s upheaval.
• Bill Hader brings anxious energy to Fear, whose constant vigilance and quick reactions reflect Riley’s struggles with the uncertainties of her new environment and help her avoid potential dangers.
• Lewis Black lends his signature intensity to Anger, whose fiery temper flares whenever Riley faces injustice or frustration, highlighting how anger both complicates and motivates her as she adapts to change.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of Inside Out, Riley’s emotional turmoil reaches a turning point as she attempts to run away from her new home in San Francisco, overwhelmed by the conflicting influences of her emotions. The resolution comes when Joy, who has long tried to keep Sadness at bay, realizes that Sadness is essential for Riley to process her feelings and seek help. By allowing Sadness to take control, Riley is able to express her true emotions to her parents, leading to a heartfelt family reunion where she admits how much she misses her old life. This honest communication brings comfort and understanding, helping Riley begin to adapt to her new environment. The film ends with the emotions working together harmoniously, having learned that all feelings, not just happiness, are vital to Riley’s well-being. The control panel in Riley’s mind is upgraded, symbolizing her growing emotional complexity as she enters a new phase of her life, now better equipped to handle change and challenges with the support of her full emotional spectrum.