HBB: Pixar’s “Inside Out”

Inside Out uses creative storytelling to explore mental health, emphasizing the importance of emotional acceptance and understanding.

by Lizzie Shyer

Disney and Pixar movies were my childhood. They were fun, but always had good lessons behind them. Inside Out is such a memorable film to me. As a child, I loved the colorful characters and the funny plot, but as I got older, I really got the message about feelings and mental health. The movie is easy to relate to, especially for a college student because it shows how hard it can be to deal with change, stress and new situations.

Inside Out is an animated movie produced in 2015 by Pixar, directed by Ronnie Del Carmen and Pete Doctor. It was released by Walt Disney Pictures and is now available to stream on Disney+. The film explores mental health, emotional growth, and the importance of knowing and expressing your feelings, especially when you are a child.

Inside Out tells the story of an 11-year-old girl named Riley whose life is flipped on its side when her parents decide to move from Minnesota to San Francisco. The film takes place in Riley’s mind where five emotions (Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust) come together to create thoughts, memories, and behaviors. Riley has a hard time adjusting, and Joy tries to keep her happy by keeping Sadness at bay. As the story progresses, Joy finds out that Sadness is just as important for Riley as it will help her deal with tough situations.

I love how Inside Out can take something as complex as human emotions and make it so easy to understand through the use of animation and storytelling. Not only does the film explain the science that underlies emotions, but it also gives each emotion its own personality. I especially love how the film makers use different colors, settings and characters to portray what is going on inside of Riley’s mind. It is a fun to movie to watch, but it also makes you think about your own feelings.

From a health standpoint, Inside Out highlights the importance of emotional well-being and how one’s mental health is connected to everyday life. A big lesson is that bad emotions aren’t necessarily bad. Sadness, for example, is Riley’s way of letting the world know she is having a hard time, and it lets her parents know that she needs a little support. The movie shows how speaking about your feelings can help people build relationships and cope with difficult times. The film is a gross over-simplification of the real science of the brain, but it does introduce some important psychological concepts related to emotional regulation, memory and development.

I like that the movie doesn’t tell you to be happy all the time. Speaking from experience, being in college is really stressful. You’re constantly trying to juggle schoolwork, a social life and career goals while trying to appear like you have your life together. Inside Out is a good reminder that it’s okay to be overwhelmed and sad, and that it is healthier to acknowledge those feelings rather than ignore them.

Inside Out combines comedy, relatable characters, and creative animation with a serious message about mental health. It reminds us, the viewers, that we must accept out feelings to really know them.

Inside Out is available to watch on Disney+.