Riley's Deep Dark Secret Reveal Makes A Popular Inside Out Theory Less Likely (2024)

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Inside Out 2!

Inside Out 2 reveals that Riley has a deep dark secret, and while it is a neat story beat in the sequel, it makes one popular Inside Out theory far less likely. In the leadup to Inside Out 2, it was clear that several years of Riley's life had passed, leading to many different theories regarding what had happened to Riley in the years that had elapsed between the two Inside Out movies. One theory stood out above all the rest as being the most popular, and while Inside Out 2 didn't explicitly deconfirm it, it's now far less likely.

Inside Out 2 has finally been released, with the highly anticipated sequel to Pixar's beloved 2015 film now out for viewers to see. Inside Out 2 takes the basic premise of the critically acclaimed original film and expands on it, adding to Riley's original 5 emotions five new emotions, with those being Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, Ennui, and Nostalgia. These exciting new characters make up the bulk of Inside Out 2's new story, but they aren't the only major arc in the sequel, as one storyline has to do with a deep dark secret that Riley has been hiding.

Riley's Deep Dark Secret In Inside Out 2 Isn't That She's LGBTQ+

It's That She... Burned A Rug?

In the time leading up to Inside Out 2, it was highly theorized that the sequel would reveal that she is LGBTQ+, something that many fans were really hoping would occur. The trailers made it seem as if Riley had feelings for an older female player on her hockey team, implying that Riley may be LGBTQ+ in Inside Out 2. Although many viewers fully expected to see this revelation occur in Inside Out 2, it didn't end up happening, even though one story thread in the film teased that it would by the end of the movie.

Early in the film, the main five emotions get locked away in a vault where Riley's biggest secrets are kept. While there, Joy meets the manifestation of Riley's deep dark secret, and while she tries to get him to admit what the secret is, he doesn't. Upon this reveal, many fans thought that Riley's deep dark secret would be that she is queer, as it felt like the perfect setup to show that Riley was repressing these feelings and would only come out with the help of her other emotions.

Inside Out 2 contains a post-credits scene in which Joy returns to Riley's vault of secrets, preparing audience members for the big reveal that Riley is gay. However, this didn't end up happening, with it jokingly being revealed that Riley burned a hole in a rug once. This being her deep dark secret was a huge disappointing part of Inside Out 2 for some who hoped to see some proper queer representation in a Pixar movie, with the film missing its chance to confirm this Riley Inside Out theory.

Riley Not Being Openly LGBTQ+ In Inside Out 2 Complicates The Theory

It Now Has To Be Inside Her Mind

Although some fans are still holding onto the idea that Riley is LGBTQ+ in the world of Inside Out, Riley not being openly gay makes it even more complicated. Despite the film implying that Riley may have a crush on Val, she never openly says that she is LGBTQ+ to any of her friends, meaning that if she is gay, she hasn't come out yet.

Because of this, the only way to reveal that she is LGBTQ+ would have been to have an aspect of her mind reveal it to the emotions. It would be expected that Riley's sexuality would have manifested in some way in her mind, but Inside Out 2 doesn't include any hint at this. It is never shown that Riley is suppressing her sexuality, and all of her crushes are boys, meaning that Riley still seems to be straight in Inside Out 2.

How Inside Out 3 Can Still Reveal Riley Is LGBTQ+

It Needs A Time Jump

Although it hasn't happened yet, Inside Out 3 can still reveal that Riley is LGBTQ+. Much like Inside Out 2, Inside Out 3 could take place after a time jump, focusing on a version of Riley that is a few years older. This version of Riley could have had the time to realize that she is LGBTQ+, with this becoming part of the third film's story. It could simply be that Riley hasn't realized that she is LGBTQ+ in the timeline of Inside Out 2 yet, with Pixar saving this storyline for a sequel.

Inside Out 2

PG

Adventure

Comedy

Animation

Inside Out 2 is the sequel to the 2015 original film, which starred a young girl named Riley with a head full of emotions. - literally. With Amy Pohler as Joy, Bill Hader as fear, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, and Lewis Black as Anger, the all-star cast brought to life the emotions that adolescents face as they grow, change, and adapt to new situations. This sequel, currently in development, will bring Amy Pohler back as Joy, with Riley, now a teenager.

Director

Kelsey Mann

Release Date

June 14, 2024

Studio(s)

Disney

Distributor(s)

Disney

Writers

Meg LeFauve

Cast

Amy Poehler , Tony Hale , Maya Hawke , Liza Lapira , Lewis Black , Phyllis Smith , Diane Lane

Runtime

96 Minutes

Franchise(s)

Disney

prequel(s)

Inside Out

Main Genre

Animation