Maya Hawke’s journey with Fear in Inside Out 2
As an actor, predicting which of your roles will resonate with audiences can be quite unpredictable. However, Maya Hawke has experienced notable success in this regard. In addition to her portrayal of the beloved character Robin Buckley from Stranger Things, she lent her voice to the character Fear in Pixar’s latest release, which emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of 2025.
A Memorable Podcast Appearance
Maya recently appeared on a podcast hosted by her Inside Out 2 co-star Amy Poehler. During their conversation, the 27-year-old actress reflected on what it means to embody such a viral and relatable character. She shared:
“It’s been one of my greatest honors. My little sister asked me recently if I ever get tired of people asking me to do the Fear voice, and I told her ‘Never!'”
The Impact of Inside Out 2
The release of Inside Out 2, last summer was nothing short of phenomenal, raking in $1.67 billion globally and dominating box office charts throughout 2024. Hawke’s portrayal as Fear stood out significantly within this success story, resonating deeply with many viewers who identified with its themes surrounding anxiety.
“There was a time when I would have saeid no to dressing up as certain characters,” she explained further about her role’s meaning. “But this film has allowed so many people—especially kids—to feel seen and understood.”
A Lasting Connection Through Characters
Maya expressed that while she might feel slightly past wearing Robin’s Scoops Ahoy costume from Season 3 (2019), she doesn’t share that sentiment regarding her role as Fear from Inside Out 2.. The film captures what it feels like to navigate fear—a theme that will likely resonate for generations.
The Rarity of Success Stories Like This One
Diving deeper into their discussion about being part of such a successful project like Inside Out 2., both actresses acknowledged how rare it is indeed for films to achieve such widespread acclaim—both critically and commercially—as evidenced by its extraordinary box office performance.
Hawke described it as akin to witnessing a “rainbow,” marveling at how it surpassed $1 billion at the box office while also being beneficial for society at large.
“I often receive calls from friends who are parents asking if I could record messages for their children going through tough times,” she shared about connecting through her character’s voice. “And I’m always happy to help.”
A Personal Growth Experience Through Voice Acting
this experience seems not only rewarding but transformative for Maya; playing Fear has enabled her to connect more profoundly with others while embracing vulnerability herself—a lesson echoed through Riley’s journey within the film itself.
No official announcements have been made regarding an upcoming sequel,
but there are hints about potential developments for Inside Out 3!. Both Maya Hawke and Amy Poehler expressed enthusiasm over possibly reprising their roles should another installment come into fruition.