In a captivating moment from Pixar’s Inside Out 2, protagonist Riley, now a teenager, senses that a friend of hers is withholding information. The audience is drawn into Riley’s mind, where her emotions analyze the situation. Disgust, voiced by Mindy Kaling, takes charge, keenly observing her friend’s physical cues like the furrowed brow, exclaiming “Enhance” as she zooms in on the facial muscles responsible for such expressions.
This engaging scene is deeply rooted in scientific understanding, thanks to UC Berkeley psychology professor Dacher Keltner, who has been a scientific consultant for Pixar on the Inside Out films for over a decade. Keltner has extensively researched how emotions manifest on our faces, particularly focusing on embarrassment, and refers to this scene as an inside joke reflecting his contributions to the films. He notes the intricate details of facial musculature, highlighting that there are 30 muscles involved in expressing emotions.
Keltner’s influence extends beyond just facial expressions. He played a pivotal role in introducing new emotional characters in Inside Out 2, such as Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment, expanding the original five emotions as Riley navigates her teenage years. Initially, he shared with director Pete Docter that scientists have cataloged around 25 different emotions; although Docter pointed out that it would be challenging to feature all of them as main characters, the film has now seen this number grow to nine.
The film not only entertains but also educates viewers about the complexities of human emotions and mental health. As Riley transitions through adolescence, the focus on Anxiety as a driving force resonates with many teens experiencing similar feelings.
This scientific grounding within a beloved animated narrative underscores a larger movement towards integrating emotional awareness and mental well-being into mainstream entertainment, presenting an opportunity for audiences to learn and reflect on their emotional life while enjoying an engaging story. Such integrations may pave the way for future discussions about mental health, fostering a more empathetic worldview.
In conclusion, Inside Out 2 skillfully merges science with storytelling, illustrating the importance of understanding our emotions through the lens of Riley’s evolving experiences. As mental health continues to gain attention, these narratives can inspire deeper conversations and encourage emotional intelligence in younger audiences.