Inside Out is an attempt to explore the complexities of five emotions, Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear, inside the mind of an eleven-year-old child, Riley. Barnes traces the origin of the idea to Docter’s childhood experience of moving to Denmark, an experience which left him with deep insecurities.

In an article for the New Yok Times, Brookes Barnes gives an elaborate sketch of the long, complicated process of the film’s development. These subtexts open up the possibility for range of psychiatric and psychoanalytic readings of the film, making it particularly interesting from a medical humanities perspective. The story is also a subtle account about coping with depression, as she eventually learns to develop therapeutic relationships with her family and friends by talking openly about her feelings. The imaginary world inside Riley’s head is based on interpretations of scientific models of the mind and of human behaviour. However the film’s complex subtexts are really what makes it remarkable, as they are richly informed by a wealth of psychological theories. This film has already received great acclaim at Cannes Film Festival 2015 for its heartfelt relatable story, imaginative storytelling, beautiful animation and a delightful musical score. This year’s summer release by Pixar Animation Studios, Inside Out, follows the inner workings of the mind of Riley, an 11-year-old girl from Minnesota, as her life is suddenly turned upside down when her family moves to San Francisco.

Inside out movie release