Unlocking Emotions: Lessons from Inside Out

"Do you ever look at someone and wonder, 'What is going on inside their head?'"

We all live in the world with our own unique personalities, emotions, and memories. When we believe that others are feeling the same emotions as we are, we experience empathy, and sometimes, through that empathy, we find great comfort and joy. That’s the power of the movie Inside Out, which I’d like to introduce. It reassures us that the complex emotions we feel are completely natural and encourages us to embrace them as an essential part of who we are.

Inside Out became a turning point for me during my adolescence, helping me not only better understand my own emotions but also recognize the emotions of others. After watching the movie, I developed a strong interest in child and adolescent psychology and counseling, which has grown into a passion I’m still pursuing in college 9 years later. This movie has provided me with great comfort, and through this review, I hope that more people will connect with their emotions and approach their feelings with more kindness and understanding, as I have through this film.

The animated film Inside Out offers a thoughtful and creative look at the complexity of emotions and how they shape who we are, especially during childhood and adolescence. The story centers around Riley, an 11-year-old girl, who faces a major life change when her family moves to a new city. Inside Riley’s mind, five core emotions - Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust - operate the "headquarters," the control center that manages her thoughts, feelings, and actions. On her first day at a new school, Joy tries to stop Sadness from influencing Riley’s core memories, which leads to an accident where both Joy and Sadness are ejected from the headquarters. With only Anger, Fear, and Disgust left to run the system, Riley loses her emotional balance and starts acting out, becoming disconnected from her parents and her former self. She begins to wander, both physically and emotionally, as she struggles to cope with her new reality. Meanwhile, Joy and Sadness go on an adventurous journey through Riley’s mind, exploring places such as the maze of long-term memory, the strange world of abstract thought, and the lively land of imagination. Along the way, they face challenges and discoveries, learning more about how important each emotion is in Riley’s life.

A central message of the film is that every emotion plays a vital role in our emotional development. While Joy initially seeks to maintain control, the story makes it clear that emotional growth comes from embracing all of our feelings. Riley’s personality islands-representing her relationships and values-start to collapse when her emotional world becomes unbalanced. This highlights how neglecting emotions like Sadness can lead to instability and confusion, both within the self and in relationships with others.

“Crying helps me slow down and obsess over the weight of life’s problems”

The film also illustrates how negative emotions, such as sadness and fear, are essential for building resilience. Especially during adolescence, learning to face and manage these emotions is crucial for navigating life’s challenges. Sadness offers an important insight when she says, “Crying helps me slow down and obsess over the weight of life’s problems,” emphasizing the reflective power of sadness in processing difficulties.

There are times when people unintentionally avoid their negative emotions or try to hold back their sadness. I’ve often done the same in difficult moments, just like Riley, pushing away my own "sadness" before giving it a chance to help. But over time, I’ve realized that embracing and accepting those tough emotions is one of the kindest things I can do for myself. Simply getting through hard times without falling apart has allowed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve learned firsthand how resilience can strengthen through challenges and how important it is to express my emotions openly and honestly.

Memory and emotion are deeply interconnected in the movie. One thing I noticed in the film is that while memories remain, the emotions tied to them can shift over time. When Sadness touches a core memory, it permanently changes, symbolizing how our emotional perspective on past events evolves as we grow. Particularly, this film captures the nature of long-term memory exceptionally well. The scene where a faded memory is brought back to life is also very moving. Riley’s childhood imaginary friend, Bing Bong, reminds us of the old friends who may still be somewhere in our long-term memory. Some memories eventually lose their emotional intensity and fade, represented by the discarded memory dump in the film. Yet, as Disgust says, “Emotions can’t quit.” This line serves as a reminder that emotions are a constant, even as they evolve, and continue to shape us throughout our lives. While emotions may weaken or malfunction temporarily, they never truly disappear.

"It’s okay. We’re here now. We’ve got you."

The parent-child relationship is another key theme. Riley’s father is distant due to work pressures, while her mother provides emotional support, encouraging her to remain positive. This dynamic reflects the importance of parental presence in helping children manage their emotions, especially during times of change. Riley’s emotional upheaval intensifies when her relationship with her parents weakens, illustrating how family support is crucial for emotional stability. Parents play a critical role in helping their children understand and accept emotions that may feel unfamiliar. When children exhibit unusual behavior due to emotional confusion, the parents' role becomes even more important.

According to Attachment Theory, children can grow up emotionally secure with the support of just one or more dependable caregivers. Riley had that stability through her parents, which helped guide her through life’s challenges. But sadly, many children and adolescents don’t have someone they can turn to for support. I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t always have to be a parent-teachers, counselors, or even a caring neighbor can make a huge impact on a child’s life. For this reason, I remain committed to continuing my learning, so I can be a reliable adult for adolescents, always ready to offer guidance and support when they need it most. I’m eager to continue my studies and research to help children and adolescents lead happier, more fulfilling lives. My hope is that through deeper understanding, I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people who need someone to believe in them.

"The reality is, Riley needs to feel sad."

Inside Out beautifully shows how every emotion we experience plays an important role in shaping who we are. In the end, it’s Sadness that helps Riley reconnect with her parents, reminding us that no emotion is insignificant. The movie brilliantly ties together emotions, memories, and relationships, giving us a thoughtful perspective on the complexities of growing up. It really made me reflect on how embracing all our feelings-both the joyful and the difficult ones-is essential for leading a balanced life. What struck me most was how the movie highlights the way memories, and the emotions linked to them, make us who we are. It also made me think about how crucial experiences are for children and adolescents, especially during those intense years of growth and change. The film really shows the importance of having a strong, supportive bond with parents to give children the emotional security they need during such critical moments in their lives.

When Inside Out first came out in 2015, I was writing about the movie, just as I am now. Back then, I connected deeply with the main character, Riley, and was fascinated by how the movie portrayed her growth in such a short period of time. Now, 9 years later, my interest in understanding human development has continued to grow, and as a Human Development and Family Studies major, I’ve gained a broader perspective on the film. Looking at it now, I can appreciate how beautifully Inside Out portrays the emotional complexity of childhood, adolescence, and family dynamics. Beyond its simple narrative, the film touches on essential psychological concepts, such as emotional regulation, the development of self-identity, and the integration of emotions like sadness and joy into a more mature understanding of the self. What stands out most to me now, as a student of human development, is the way the film illustrates that emotions are not just momentary reactions, but integral to how we process experiences, connect with others, and navigate change. It’s a reminder that resilience isn’t about avoiding difficult emotions but learning to embrace and integrate them. Watching Inside Out through this lens, I see it not only as a touching story but as a profound exploration of the social and emotional development that continues throughout life.

If you loved Inside Out, I highly recommend Inside Out 2. As Riley enters puberty, her control center expands, making room for new emotions like anxiety, embarrassment, envy, and boredom. The film beautifully explores how these emotions affect her as she navigates this new stage of life. While Inside Out was beloved by many, Inside Out 2 has been especially impactful for young adults, offering comfort and emotional connection. The portrayal of anxiety - as one of the main emotions-feels particularly relevant today, showing how it shapes our thoughts, words, and actions. It provides reassurance and empathy for those dealing with the uncertainties and stresses of modern life, making it a heartfelt, meaningful watch.