Pixar is finally prepared to reveal Riley’s genuine emotions for Val in Inside Out 2. Unlike the original film that centered on an 11-year-old Riley, the $1.7 billion sequel has opted for a two-year time leap. The Inside Out Universe welcomes new emotions, such as Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos).
With all these changes, Riley (Kensington Tallman) must get ready for her journey as a high school student. Throughout this transition, she struggles with the desire to gain respect from her teammate, Val (Lilimar Hernandez).
In Inside Out 2, co-writer Dave Holstein delved into the genuine essence of Riley’s feelings for Val. Given that the narrative necessitated Riley to experience anxiety following an 18-month time jump, Holstein and his fellow writers aimed to “provide her with a role model.” This ultimately led to the inclusion of the self-assured Val.
According to Dave Holstein, “I believe that the entire film’s discussion serves to provide her with a role model, much like how a freshman admires a senior. It’s akin to a girl crush in that sense, but it’s more about having someone who I experienced this in school as well, where you notice someone who appears significantly older. They might only be 18 months ahead, yet they exude a self-assurance that resonates with what people aspire to achieve at that stage in life. Honestly, it transcends age; it’s about confidence. We aimed to create that character to instill anxiety in her, which ultimately leads us to the film itself.”
The Significance of Val To Riley In Inside Out 2
The shift from middle school to high school can be quite challenging. For Riley, who had only relocated to the area two years earlier, entering Inside Out 2 presented an even greater hurdle. She was transitioning from being one of the oldest students in her school to the youngest.
Additionally, as she was becoming a teenager, she had to navigate new hormones, emotions, and responsibilities. Amidst all these changes, she also had to juggle her passion for hockey, and with everything evolving in her life, Riley’s “girl crush” on Val represented yet another opportunity for personal growth.
Although there were rumors suggesting that Riley might be developing romantic feelings for Val, it seems improbable that this will evolve into anything significant in upcoming films. Reports indicate that Pixar employees chose to portray Riley as “less gay” following the backlash from Lightyear, which faced criticism after Alisha kissed her wife, Kiko.
Given the supposed directives against portraying Riley as an LGBTQ+ character, it is understandable that Holstein would refer to the relationship as a “girl crush.” According to Pixar, Riley is still navigating her new life, and therefore, her feelings are more about wanting to impress a self-assured friend than anything deeper.
The Story of Riley Is Still In Progress
Although Inside Out 3 hasn’t been officially announced, it’s highly likely that it’s in development. Setting aside the romantic plot for a later film, where Riley can be older and more equipped to handle it, is a logical choice. This approach allows her the freedom to delve into that aspect of her life.
It’s disheartening that Pixar reportedly declined to affirm Riley as an LGBTQ+ character, yet this could still evolve into a significant storyline for her. Val served as a role model and a “girl crush” in Inside Out 2, but in upcoming films, Riley might discover new characters who capture her affection.
Pixar has provided a glimpse into Riley’s future. In a separate interview Holstein, the co-writer of Inside Out 2, shared that there is “plenty of life left to discover” for Riley. He envisions “a significant story every few years” of her journey, particularly wanting to follow Riley “through the experience of motherhood.”
This suggests that audiences will witness a more romantic evolution in her life. Although the narrative may shift as it unfolds, romance is poised to play a crucial role in Riley’s eventual story. Moreover, it will be particularly fascinating to explore how love is portrayed as an emotion.
Our Perspective On Riley’s Infatuation With Val
A romantic relationship could have provided additional paths for Riley to discover her identity. Feelings of Anxiety, Embarrassment, and Ennui might have elicited more profound reactions within the context of a real romantic connection.
Nevertheless, just because this was one possible direction does not imply it was the only viable narrative. The story struck a chord with numerous viewers and continues to resonate today. After all, it achieved an impressive Tomatometer score of 91% and an audience score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
This also doesn’t take into account its Box Office triumph. With such overwhelming acclaim, there was no compelling reason to incorporate a storyline that might not have been as effective. The initial film grossed $859 million globally.
While this was a significant amount, it represented only about half of what the sequel would ultimately achieve. The follow-up brought in fresh characters, a new high school environment, and new emotions for Riley to navigate. Some actors from Inside Out were even replaced. These were considerable risks that could have led to disappointing outcomes.
However, it turned out to be a resounding success by all key measures. With a Box Office performance of $1.7 billion under Pixar’s belt, the studio is now in a position to take certain chances with Riley’s narrative following Inside Out 2.