Riley is thirteen and plays hockey in San Francisco. As high school gets closer, she learns that her two best friends will go to a different school. At camp, Riley wants to impress Val, an older player, and make friends with the older team. Inside Riley’s mind, Joy and the other emotions face a new group led by Anxiety, who takes control and tries to change Riley so she will fit in. The bright comedy turns an everyday teen worry into a wild trip through her mind. Anxiety pushes Riley to hide parts of herself and focus on what could go wrong. Joy and the other emotions try to bring her back to the beliefs and friendships that shaped her. The hockey games, jokes, and panic attack support a story about fitting in, friendship, and learning to live with every feeling. Riley’s sense of self changes as she grows, but the plot stays close to her emotional life as a young teen.
Community feedback
Was our 22% Woke rating accurate?
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Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Inside Out 2.
Woke representation / casting
The film shows a diverse group of girls at a San Francisco hockey camp, including a Muslim player in a hijab. Kelsey Mann said he wanted Riley’s story to show what being a young girl feels like. Producer Mark Nielsen said women made up more than half of the story team and noted Pixar’s first feature with a female composer. Riley’s story carries that young girl’s point of view through camp, friendship trouble, and changing beliefs.
20%
Woke political dialogue
Not present. Riley and Joy talk about feelings, hockey, and friendship.
0%
Identity-driven story themes
Not present. Riley tries to keep her friendships while handling anxiety and fitting in.
0%
Western institutional / cultural critique
Not present. Riley’s parents and coaches are ordinary parts of her life.
0%
Woke character or canon changes
Not present in this title.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
A review in France’s national daily Le Monde said Disney made the film to fit “woke” rules and criticized its girls-only, diverse setting. Fdesouche’s Islamism claim about a hijab-wearing extra drew about 2.7 million views, but a community note disputed it. Ethan Van Sciver claimed Riley had a gay crush on Val and said the film promoted homosexuality. Small X accounts repeated claims about forced casting and woke messaging.
30%
Creator track record context
Meg LeFauve has discussed women claiming power while saying Captain Marvel was written as one person, not every woman. Dan Scanlon has supported queer visibility and wished the lesbian officer in Onward had a larger part. Pete Docter and the casting leads have focused mainly on broad appeal, casting craft, and fair auditions.
31%
Production
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