Inside Out

Inside Out is a 2015 American computer-animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Pete Docter and co-directed by Ronnie del Carmen, it was written by Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley. The story is set largely inside the mind of Riley Andersen, an eleven-year-old girl whose family moves from Minnesota to San Francisco. Her emotions—Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust—operate a headquarters where they influence Riley’s reactions and store her memories as glowing spheres. Amy Poehler voices Joy, while Phyllis Smith plays Sadness, and Kaitlyn Dias voices Riley herself. Bill Hader voices Fear, Lewis Black plays Anger, and Mindy Kaling voices Disgust. At the beginning, Joy tries to preserve Riley’s happiness as the move disrupts her friendships, hockey routine, and sense of home. During a struggle over a painful memory, Joy and Sadness are expelled from Headquarters into Riley’s long-term memory. Their absence leaves Fear, Anger, and Disgust in charge. Meanwhile, core memories that power Riley’s personality islands begin failing. Joy and Sadness travel through imaginative parts of her mind, including Dream Productions, Imagination Land, and the memory dump, seeking a route back. They are aided by Bing Bong. Riley’s imaginary childhood friend, a part-cat, part-elephant, part-dolphin companion voiced by Richard Kind. Bing Bong joins Joy and Sadness because he wants to reach the “brain headquarters” with them. As Riley becomes emotionally detached, Anger proposes that she run away to Minnesota. She steals her mother’s credit card and boards a bus, but the plan collapses when Joy finally understands that Sadness has an essential role. Earlier scenes show Sadness helping Riley receive comfort from her parents and friends after disappointment. Joy realizes that mixed emotions can make memories richer, rather than being failures of happiness. This insight guides her. The film’s resolution. Joy gives Sadness control at Headquarters, allowing Riley to cry and tell her parents that she misses Minnesota. Her parents respond with empathy, and a new core memory becomes a blend of blue and gold. After Riley begins adapting, Headquarters receives a new console marked with “Puberty.” The film premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and opened in the United States on June 19, 2015. It won Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and earned a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Michael Giacchino composed its score. Inside Out won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature.