The following contains spoilers for Dream Productions, now streaming on Disney+Dream Productionsbeing a prequel toInside Out 2adds a tragic layer to that animated film.Inside Out 2reintroduces audiences to Riley a few years after the events ofInside Out. On the cusp of high school, Riley is thrown for an additional loop at hockey camp when she discovers her two best friends Grace and Bree are actually set to go to another high school. This sets off an internal conflict within Riley’s emotions, which leads to the primary plot and emotionalending ofInside Out 2.
By contrast,Dream Productionsis a more low-key storyline that focuses on the inner workings of Riley’s sleep cycles. The show also specifically takes place between the events of theInside Outfilms, which means Grace and Bree are more pronounced characters. This exploration ofRiley’s friends in theInside Outfranchisehas a somewhat bittersweet and quietly tragic impact onInside Out 2and builds up that film’s saddest elements.
Dream Productions Takes Place Before Inside Out 2
Dream ProductionsBeing Set In Riley’s Middle School Days Is Important
The presence of Grace and Bree inDream Productionshighlights the show’s status as a prequel to Inside Out 2, which also amplifies the bittersweet elements of the latter film. Riley’s life isn’t given much focus inDream Productions, although it is confirmed early in the show that she’s still in middle school.This means she’s still getting to hang out with her best friends Grace and Bree. Grace and Bree are consistent presences in Riley’s life, with the three girls planning out the upcoming dance together and generally being reliable best friends.
Dream Productions Teases A Wild Aspect About How Minds Work In Inside Out’s Universe
Dream Productions expands the scope of Inside Out’s world and reveals a surprising way that minds can interact within that Pixar universe.
Trying to impress them even plays into Riley’s dreams, and fears of their embarrassment or scorn propel many of her nightmares. The story ends with Grace, Bree, and Riley performing their coordinated dance and winning over their peers, a sweet moment of affirmation for the trio and their friendship. However,this close-knit friendship adds a greater layer of bittersweet tragedy toInside Out 2, as one of the big dramatic throughlines of that film is Riley discovering that Bree and Grace will be attending a different high school.
Dream Productions Highlights A Key Element Of Inside Out 2’s Tragedy
The Loss Of Bree And Grace Hurting Riley So Much Makes More Sense AfterDream Productions
A big part of Inside Out 2’s Riley storyline deals with Riley confronting the emotional fallout of Bree and Grace going to a different school instead of the one she’ll be attending. Because of thetimeline between the twoInside Outfilms, there wasn’t much time to actually show how much impact Bree and Grace had on Riley. However,Dream Productionsis able to effectively delve into that aspect of Riley’s life.This highlights just how important they were to Riley, establishing their group dynamic and why it hurts Riley so much to discover that it’s going to be changing.
This adds to the sense of bittersweet closure thatInside Out 2has, proving whyDream Productionsworks best as a prequel to that film.
Inside Out 2did a good job of illustrating that bond in brief bursts, but the film’s focus was Riley and her emotions. This kept the pair to the sidelines. While they remain in that supporting function inDream Productions,the show does spend more time highlighting how the friendship worksand why they were they were so close. This adds to the sense of bittersweet closure thatInside Out 2has, proving whyDream Productionsworks best as a prequel to that film.
Dream Productions
Set in the whimsical world of Riley’s mind, this Inside Out spin-off series follows the crew at Dream Productions, the studio responsible for creating Riley’s dreams and nightmares. As they craft cinematic experiences each night, the team faces unexpected challenges, blending humor and creativity in a vivid exploration of the subconscious.
