The true meaning of Ennui from Inside Out 2. Explained

Inside Out 2 (Image via Disney Movies)
Inside Out 2 (Image via Disney Movies)

Ennui is a new character in the animated film Inside Out 2 and the character represents a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction. The feeling is quite common during adolescence, especially among teens and pre-teens. The word ennui has a French origin and combines the meanings of boredom and tiredness.

Inside Out 2 was released on June 14, 2024, and is an animated film, directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Pixar Animation Studios. It is the sequel to 2015's animated film Inside Out and looks at the obstacles of adolescence while the person is trying to develop a sense of self.

Inside Out 2 follows 13-year-old Riley as she navigates high school with her emotions of joy, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust, which were seen in the first film. The sequel sees her dealing with newer emotions like envy, embarrassment, ennui, and their leader, anxiety.

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What does Ennui mean in Inside Out 2?

Ennui is a French word that translates to boredom and it's an emotion that is featured in Inside Out 2. In the film, ennui is shown as a common feeling that teenagers have, as they are constantly bored or feel lethargic. Ennui is portrayed as an adolescent who is unsatisfied, tired, bored, and anxious. French actress, Adèle Exarchopoulos has voiced Ennui in the film.

She is shown to experience feeling disconnected and uninterested in the chaos around her and symbolizes more than just boredom in Riley's mind. Eunnui also acts as Riley's protective mechanism, leading her through the emotional distress of growing up.

Through Ennui, Inside Out 2 explores the deeper meaning of boredom. It portrays the feeling as a defensive barrier and a significant emotional state that shapes decision-making and emotional responses.


Ennui’s Role in Inside Out 2

Ennui is an important character in Inside Out 2 and represents the sentiments of apathy and alienation that most teens go through. Her persona is constantly on her phone and gives off an impression of apathy toward the events occurring around her.

Although she seems emotionless, Ennui is protective of Riley and assists her through the stressful period of adolescence. Ennui’s presence subtly stirs tension between Riley and her parents, reflecting the real-life struggles of teenager-parent relationships.

Her detachment acts as a buffer, allowing Riley to maintain a cool demeanor in front of her peers, especially around Val and the cool kids at school. This emotional distance helps Riley cope with the pressures of fitting in and finding her place in the social hierarchy.

Interestingly, Ennui's character is not just about boredom and lethargy. She becomes visibly upset when she loses her phone, highlighting her dependence on digital distractions to cope with her emotions. These moments when she gets upset show that there's more to her than just being bored. They reveal that she feels real emotions and cares about things.

Ennui also has brief moments where she smiles or shows concern, not only for Riley but also for the other emotions inside Riley’s mind. These glimpses of emotion suggest that Ennui's role is more complex than it initially appears. She is not just a passive background character.

Ennui (Image via Youtube / Pixar)
Ennui (Image via Youtube / Pixar)

The Unexpected Ennui

One of Ennui's most remarkable characteristics is her capacity to manage the headquarters console via an app on her phone. This surprise conclusion indicates that Ennui's phone is more than just a diversion.

It's a tool that allows her to control Riley's emotions and shows the significance of digital technologies for adolescents, stressing their positive and negative effects.

Ennui’s control over the console shows how boredom and detachment can influence decision-making and emotional responses. Her character challenges the perception of boredom as a purely negative state. It suggests that it can also be a protective mechanism that helps individuals distance themselves from overwhelming emotions and situations.


Inside Out 2 is currently playing in theaters and will be available to stream on Disney+ later this year.

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Edited by Madhur Dave
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