The tear-filled climax of Inside Out 2 is more than just another classic Pixar happy ending.
Warning: this article contains spoilers
As the emotions inside 13-year-old Riley’s mind embrace each other, they accept that they each play a valuable role in her life. According to the psychologists who consulted on the film, it’s a reflection of the latest scientific understanding of how the brain works and how people of all ages should be approaching their mental health.
Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California Berkeley who worked on the story, tells The National: “There’s new research that says it's not all about joy. We need all these emotions in a complex mixture.
“For people seeking happiness, you’re going to also need some anxiety, some stress and a little bit of envy. There needs to be an acceptance of emotion. Don’t condemn your emotions. Don’t go to pharmaceuticals right away. Just listen to them instead."
In the first film, released in 2015, audiences meet Riley at the age of 11, as well as the emotions who are guiding her through childhood, led by Joy, voiced by actress Amy Poehler.
The sequel picks up two years later, with Joy still at the helm of her mental control centre. Each day, Joy carefully curates which memories will be stored in Riley’s mind – prioritising happy moments and ejecting uncomfortable ones – helping form the "Sense of Self" that guides Riley’s actions.
But when the newly-teenage Riley finds herself in a state of crisis, a set of new emotions – Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui – take control, suppressing Joy, Anger, Sadness, Fear and Disgust to the depths of her subconscious.
Anxiety ejects Riley’s Sense of Self to the back of her mind and begins creating her own, using only anxiety-led emotions. But to Anxiety’s shock, her new Sense of Self turns out to be harmful.
To save Riley, all nine emotions join forces to rescue all of the suppressed memories to form a more complex Sense of Self that embraces all aspects of her feelings.
According to Lisa Damour, clinical psychologist and bestselling author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, that is the key message of the film. While it’s largely beneficial that we’re in an era in which mental health discussions have been normalised, there is still a widespread misunderstanding that it’s healthy to only embrace positive feelings – which doesn’t help in the long run, she says.
“A lot of teenagers and a lot of parents are operating with this idea that you're only mentally healthy if you feel good,” says Damour. "And that is not how we've ever understood mental health.
“What is so important about this film is that it represents the reality that natural functioning involves a whole lot of emotions that are not particularly comfortable, but they are valuable. They are protective. They are growth-giving. And they all have a place in our lives and are not on their own grounds for concern."
The story arc of Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, is particularly important for conveying this message, Damour explains.
In the beginning, Anxiety is the film’s villain, guiding her to make morally questionable choices and abandon her loved ones for selfish pursuits. But as the film goes on, it becomes clear that the catastrophe that occurs inside Riley’s mind is Joy’s fault, too.
Joy stubbornly refuses to listen to Anxiety, which only makes Anxiety stronger. Only when the emotions begin to embrace what they each bring to the table does anxiety’s true value become clear.
“By the end, Anxiety is quite adorable, and that matches what we believe scientifically. Anxiety is a natural and helpful emotion that’s not all bad,” says Damour.
“The ending is perfect in terms of how we conceptualise it. When Anxiety begins catastrophising, they kindly ask her to go sit in her chair to calm down. Then, Anxiety reminds them that Riley has a Spanish test tomorrow, which is Anxiety serving its job to anticipate real threats to protect ourselves.
“Oftentimes, we only consider anxiety to be pathological, as if it’s only coming up with threats that aren’t real. Instead, we need to embrace anxiety as part of the team, as long as it’s kept in bounds."
Striking this balance is particularly important for teenage girls, who can often be incredibly hard on themselves, Damour explains.
“In my first conversation with the filmmakers in early 2020, we spoke about my book Untangled, about the adolescent development of girls," Damour adds. "I remember telling them that clinically, what we try to do is help these girls recognise their imperfections, while still seeing themselves as valuable and worthy of love.
“When I saw that final scene at the premiere, I started crying. I was like: "There it is! That’s the conversation we had!’”
Keltner, who consulted on the first film as well, also found the film’s ending to be particularly moving, especially because it reflected science that wasn’t as well understood when the original was made.
Keltner says: “I was crying, too. I was like: ‘I wish I had told my daughters that 10 years ago’. What a great lesson!”
But even as Inside Out 2 breaks new ground in its portrayal of accurate psychological science on screen, it is far from a complete portrait of how the brain works.
For story reasons, Keltner explains, the filmmakers could not accommodate the scientifically accurate number of emotions that exist in the mind, which is currently estimated at 25.
“For example, I kept pushing for Shame as a character, as it has such profound effects on the mind, but it was just too complicated,” Keltner explains. "They tried, but they couldn’t quite get it to work."
Both Keltner and Damour agree that further sequels could be helpful in expanding the public’s knowledge of the brain’s development at later points in life. In Keltner’s opinion, Inside Out 3 should be set in late adolescence.
“At 18 and 19 years old, the mind really starts expanding," he says. "You have new emotions, like awe, and you really start to orient yourself morally to the world. Emotions such as compassion, and then falling in love, obviously, also have a major effect."
In Damour’s view, the most important potential sequel would cover Riley becoming a mother herself, a development that also has a profound effect on a person’s psychology.
“I hope they make these sequels. I think it'd be an extraordinary series,” says Keltner.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SCE%20Studio%20Cambridge%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%2C%20PlayStation%204%20and%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
All%20We%20Imagine%20as%20Light
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPayal%20Kapadia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kani%20Kusruti%2C%20Divya%20Prabha%2C%20Chhaya%20Kadam%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Opening weekend Premier League fixtures
Weekend of August 10-13
Arsenal v Manchester City
Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
Zombieland: Double Tap
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Stars: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone
Four out of five stars
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Omar%20Hilal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhammad%20Farrag%2C%20Bayoumi%20Fouad%2C%20Nelly%20Karim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
All%20The%20Light%20We%20Cannot%20See%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESteven%20Knight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMark%20Ruffalo%2C%20Hugh%20Laurie%2C%20Aria%20Mia%20Loberti%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
