Photo credit: Disneyclips.com
Headphones on, volume up! If you thought your brain was just a chaotic party with only Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust throwing the beats. Think again. Inside Out 2 just dropped, OUT OF THE BLUE, and it’s turning the control room into a full-on emotional remix! Riley’s 13, heading to hockey camp, and suddenly puberty hits like a surprise —bringing in four brand-new emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui. Grab your popcorn, because this movie is funny, and secretly a masterclass in growing up.
At the heart of the story is Riley’s “sense of self.” Before the camp, she believed: “I’m a good person.” But with all these new feelings swerving in, Anxiety tries her best to rewrite that to “I’m not good enough unless everyone likes me.” That’s when things go very downhill, FAST, and before you know it, get chaotic. Riley starts acting out, pushing away her old friends, and even regrets tripping a teammate during a big game. But here’s the extraordinary part: by the end of the movie, her sense of self doesn’t shrink—it e-x-p-a-n-d-s! She learns to say, “I make mistakes. I’m strong. I also need help sometimes. And, guess what? I’m still a good person.” That’s 10 out of 10 for mental health. It shows that who you are isn’t made up as a single label— but it’s a whole team. Growing up, in a way, means saying a quiet goodbye to your little-kid self, but stepping into a stronger version of you.
Fitting in is another important theme during puberty. Riley desperately wants to impress the older girls, so she lets Envy and Embarrassment steer the ship. She ditches her friends to chase “cool,” only to realise that fake vibes leave you feeling hollow inside. The movie gently asks: “Do your friends make you feel like yourself, or do you have to shrink to fit in?” Real friendship doesn’t ask you to change your colours—it just loves the real you, mess and all.
The film also handles big feelings with surprising honesty. When Anxiety grabs the control panel, Riley gets a panic attack scene that’s intense: heart racing, breath catching, the world tilting in all different angles. It’s shown exactly how it feels, then gradually resolved as the emotions team up to calm her down. The message? Big, overwhelming feelings pass. And it’s totally brave to let family or friends help when the volume gets too loud.
The most powerful moment? Riley finally accepts that her self-belief shouldn’t be one-note. It should be: “I am a good person. I am sometimes selfish. I am brave. I am scared.” Embracing the mixed-up parts of yourself actually silences the anxiety. You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re “too much” or “not enough,” this is your kind of movie. It’s colourful, hilarious, and deeply understanding. No emotion is the villain—they’re all just here to help you grow. So, if you’ve been feeling a little “extra” lately—maybe more worried, more bored, or just plain cringey—don’t sweat it. You’re in the same boat as Riley.
And that’s perfectly okay.
-Helen Barnard
Volunteer
Girl Museum
Your Real-Life ‘Control Room’ Helpers
Sometimes, the feelings in us get a little too loud, and Joy can’t find the volume button. If you ever feel like Anxiety or Sadness are taking over, it is always okay to ask for help!
What kids can do: Talk to a teacher, a school counselor, or a grown-up you trust.
Who to call NZ: You can call What’s Up (0800 942 8787). It’s a special phone line just for kids and teens in NZ where you can talk about anything—from friendship drama to feeling lonely. They are super kind and just want to listen!
Texting is cool too: If you don’t want to talk on the phone, you can chat with them online at whatsup.co.nz
Global Support
No matter where a girl is, she isn’t alone:
Child Helpline International: This is a massive network that connects kids to local help in over 140 countries. It’s the ultimate “Global Console” for mental health. Find your local number at childhelplineinternational.org (Covers 140+ countries!)
Crisis Text Line: A free, 24/7 text-based service available in the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland. It’s perfect for when you need to talk but aren’t ready to speak out loud. Text HOME to:
○ 741741 (USA/Canada)
○ 85258 (UK)
○ 50808 (Ireland)
LifeLine South Africa https://lifelinesa.co.za/