How will Disney approach faith? Can an animated film accurately and thoughtfully portray teenage angst? Is there room for faith somewhere in all of this? These are some of the questions Patheos and Skylight delve into while examining Inside Out 2, Disney and Pixar’s latest animated film, which was released on June 14th. The film explores the mental health of a teenage girl through the introduction of new emotional characters not present in the original film. The sequel will delve into the protagonist’s “belief system,” raising the possibility of exploring religious and spiritual themes.
To coincide with the release of Inside Out 2, Skylight collaborated with Paseos writers of various faiths to review the film from a faith perspective, while also highlighting the film’s unique approach to character emotions, such as anxiety.
Skylight is a mental wellness platform that integrates mental health strategies and spiritual practices, including meditation, yoga and prayer.
Skylight aims to help individuals dealing with anxiety, stress and other emotional issues from a spiritual perspective. Skylight aims to raise awareness of how belief systems play a vital role in managing mental health issues.
Across many Patheos reviews, it’s clear that the writers perceive Inside Out 2’s spiritual message as centered around integrating joy and faith amidst uncertainty and turmoil. They emphasize the importance of finding inner balance and strength through spiritual beliefs, suggesting that connecting with a higher power or faith tradition can provide resilience and guidance during difficult times. This interpretation highlights the film’s exploration of emotion and identity, suggesting that true joy and peace come from aligning one’s beliefs with actions and finding stability in faith-based principles.
Here are some reviews:
Inside Out 2 achieves emotional and spiritual balance
Evangelical author Sean Paul Wood notes that the sequel emphasizes Riley’s personal growth and emotional conflict as she faces major changes, such as her friends attending a different high school. Through vivid storytelling, the film emphasizes the importance of understanding and balancing complex emotions. He writes that the film highlights the universal journey of finding purpose and stability during adolescence.
From Anxiety to Joy: Inside Out 2 and the Skylight App
Progressive Christian author Gregory Smith states that the film is a clever and spiritual exploration of the inner self that will be enjoyed by both children and adults. The film uses adolescence as an allegory for the emotional and psychological upheaval of adolescence, emphasizing the importance of integrating and managing complex feelings. Ultimately, Inside Out 2 encourages self-love and offers a thoughtful examination of emotional growth and management.
Faith becomes the soul of Pixar’s Inside Out 2
Veteran religious entertainment writer Dwayne Hamby points out that Inside Out 2 follows Riley as an adolescent as new emotions like anxiety and jealousy shape her core belief system. Featuring an all-star cast, the film explores how these emotions interact to shape a functional, mentally stable girl. As Riley’s belief system shifts from “I’m a nice person” to “I’m not good enough,” the film deftly unpacks the impact of her changing emotions on her mental state. It resonates with spiritual and religious undertones, highlighting the importance of maintaining core beliefs for mental health.
Inside Out 2 from a Jewish Perspective
Jewish columnist Rebecca Wallace Keene writes that the film effectively portrays ideas about mental and spiritual well-being found in Judaism, making complex concepts understandable to children and teens. The film shows Riley’s journey through adolescence, when new emotions such as anxiety, jealousy, and boredom impact her belief system, reflecting Jewish teachings on self-exploration and emotional intelligence. Inside Out 2 emphasizes the importance of self-love, emotional control, and integrating both positive and negative experiences, encouraging viewers to embrace their true selves.
Feeling blue? Take a look inside: “Inside Out 2”
Hindu writer Shweta Goyal said the film portrays anxiety not as a villain but as a natural and sometimes helpful emotion, and highlights the importance of recognising and managing different emotions. It highlights how memories and beliefs shape our sense of self and the need to integrate both positive and negative experiences for personal growth. She said Skylight.org is collaborating with Patheos to provide therapeutic support, mindfulness programmes and resources for emotional wellbeing, in line with insights from Hindu teachings on managing anxiety and balancing emotions.
Inside Out 2 Review – The Good and the Bad
Abby Christianson, a writer for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, writes that the film effectively portrays the effects of anxiety, but falls short in fully portraying jealousy and ennui, and offers no concrete coping strategies. Though Riley’s belief system is explored, the film oversimplifies its formation and downplays the influence of her upbringing and innate spirituality. The author recommends the Skylight app as a practical tool for managing anxiety, and highlights the interconnectedness of mental and spiritual health.
The Law Learned from Within 2
Buddhist author Daniel Sharpenberg points out that our sense of self is dynamic and changes over time, challenging the notion that it is fixed. Inside Out 2 explores this theme by introducing new emotions such as anxiety, shame, envy, and more, disrupting Riley’s original feelings and identity. The film draws on adolescent struggles and the Buddhist concept of impermanence, showing that emotions and beliefs are temporary. Ultimately, Riley’s journey reflects the importance of embracing change and dealing with all emotions to maintain a balanced, evolving sense of self.
Inside Out 2: Balancing Anxiety and Joy
DeLisa Hargrove, a writer for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, writes that Inside Out 2 evokes Riley’s familiar emotions and introduces new ones, such as anxiety, embarrassment, jealousy, and ennui, as she navigates her teenage years. The film delves into the formation of Riley’s belief system, showing how her formative memories shape her core beliefs. Riley’s struggle with anxiety is portrayed realistically, highlighting the difficulty and importance of balancing anxiety and joy. The author personally empathizes with Riley’s journey, highlights the role of faith in overcoming anxiety, and recommends the Skylight app to blend spirituality and mental health.
Inside Out 2 review: Anxiety vs. Joy
Catholic author Jocelyn Soriano writes that the film explores whether anxiety is more useful than joy for 13-year-old Riley as she faces the challenges of adolescence, such as developing new friendships and overcoming peer pressure. Anxiety emerges as a dominant force, driving Riley to excel but ultimately obscuring her true identity and beliefs. The film highlights the battle between joy and anxiety to control Riley’s emotions while also prompting reflections on the lack of a religious component in her life and the potential impact of spirituality on mental health.
