Inside Out - 2015

Movie Info

Rating: PG

Age-appropriateness: sad/heavy/emotional moments, cartoonish rough-housing

Overview: After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.

Themes: expressing emotions, joy, sadness, anger, disgust, fear, family, parenting, friendship, honesty, independence, memories, personality, growing up, empathy, personality

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Emotions. How are you feeling right now? How easy is it for you to identify how you’re feeling at any given moment? How well do you feel like you handle your emotions?

Read this article on Helping Kids to Express Emotions

2. Sadness. When was the last time that you felt sad?

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.” Jesus encourages us to fully experience all of life, not just the parts that are pretty. We don’t need to try to feel happy all of the time, even though that might be easier and more fun. it’s good and healthy to feel sad at times.

3. Personality. What “islands” make up your personality (the main aspects of who you are)? What are the main things that make you, you?

Riley has family, goofball, friendship, honesty, and hockey "islands".

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. How are you feeling right now? How easy is it for you to identify how you’re feeling at any given moment? How well do you feel like you handle your emotions?

Read this article on Helping Kids to Express Emotions

2. What are your favorite memories in life? What makes those so memorable?

3. What “islands” make up your personality (the main aspects of who you are)? What are the main things that make you, you? Riley has family, goofball, friendship, honesty, and hockey "islands".

4. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.” Jesus encourages us to fully experience all of life, not just the parts that are pretty. We don’t need to try to feel happy all of the time, even though that might be easier and more fun. it’s good and healthy to feel sad at times. When was the last time that you felt sad?

5. Core memories aren’t always one solid color. Sometimes memories can be happy and sad. Scary and exciting. Have you ever felt two things at the same time?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:04 The five emotions are introduced: joy, sadness, fear, disgust, and anger. Which one of these emotions do you feel most often? Which one do you feel the least?

:08 Riley moves to a new town. How do you think it feels to move to a new home? What’s exciting about moving? What’s sad about it?

:21 Riley says she’s nervous, but mostly excited, about her first day of school. When have you felt nervous? Have you ever felt nervous and excited at the same time?

:24 Riley begins to remember a good memory, but the more she thinks about the good memory, the more sad she becomes. How is it possible to think of something good, and become sad?

:36 As Riley talks to Her friend Meg on a phone call, Meg shares that she has already made a new friend. This makes Riley jealous. Jealousy is wanting to have something that someone else has. When was the last time you were jealous of someone?

:39 Joy and Sadness meet up with Bing Bong, Riley’s imaginary friend. Have you ever had an imaginary friend? If you could create any friend, what qualities would that person have?

:48 Bing Bong loses his rocket, and he realizes Riley might be done with him. Joy tries her best to cheer him up and distract him from feeling sad. Meanwhile, Sadness sits with him, listens to what he shares, acknowledges his feelings, and shows genuine empathy. Empathy is understanding how another person is feeling. Romans 12:15-16 says to “laugh with your happy friends when they are happy, and share tears when they are down”. How can you show empathy to someone this week?

:59 Riley wakes up from a scary dream. Do you dream often? What’s the most memorable dream you have ever had?

1:08 Joy feels sadness for maybe the first time in her life. She wanted Riley to feel happy no matter what. But now, Joy knows what it feels like to cry. Joy recognizes that sadness can actually be a good and healthy emotion. Why do you think it’s good to be sad sometimes? When you feel sad, do you give yourself permission to stay sad and express how you feel?

1:13 Bing Bong sacrifices himself so that Joy could escape the Memory Dump. Joy couldn’t have been saved unless Bing Bong sacrifices himself. As a result, Bing Bong faded away from Riley’s memory. Jesus did something similar, when he sacrificed Himself on the cross so that we could all be saved from our sins. Because of Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we can spend forever with God! How much must Jesus love you, knowing that He was willing to give up His entire life to save you?

1:22 Joy allows Sadness to touch all of the core memories. Riley thinks about her Minnesota memories and allows herself to actually feel sad about them. Riley is able to express her feelings in a healthy way when she admits that she’s really sad about moving. That’s what allows her to grow and mature and continue to live a healthy life. Is there any sad memory that you’ve had that maybe you haven’t really felt? Has anything sad happened in your life that you’ve ignored and haven’t talked about and processed with someone?