Disney’s Out Implores us to be Ourselves

Out film poster. Courtesy Image From Disney.

We’ve all been shut inside this year, and it’s safe to say that for the most part 2020 has been a real bummer. With the end to the COVID-19 pandemic not coming soon enough, it’s no surprise many of us are in need of a feel-good story, and Disney Pixar’s Out delivers. Out is a short film of only 9 minutes, but like the intro to Up, this short sequence packs a punch. 

Viewers meet Greg and his live-in boyfriend Manuel at their townhome where the duo are packing up their things to move when a magical cat and dog appear outside. The cat passes along some magic to the collar of Greg’s dog, Jim. As Greg and Manuel continue to pack, Greg happens upon a photo of the couple and takes a trip on memory lane. Manual encourages Greg to tell his parents about their relationship — something Greg hasn’t done yet. 

Suddenly, Greg’s parents show up to help him pack. Greg hastily hides the photo and Manuel sneaks out the back door. While holding his pup’s collar, Greg wishes aloud that he were a dog — longing for a simpler life. At that moment, a Freaky Friday-esque moment happens as Jim and Greg switch bodies (all thanks to the magical cat). A comical scene ensues as Greg, now stuck in his dog’s body, tries to keep his mother from finding the photograph of him and Manuel. All the while Jim, stuck in Greg’s body, acts rather peculiar for a man. 

Greg’s mother tells “Jim” that she only wishes that her son would find someone to love him and make him happy. It’s at that moment that Jim (really Greg) realizes that his parents would accept him if he came out and dashes to retrieve the photo he spent so long trying to hide. 

Out is a story of love, acceptance and being true to who you are. This short film will make you laugh, cry and be overjoyed as Greg and Manual find acceptance within their family, and as Greg finally has the courage to come out. 

Released earlier this year, Out is available to stream on Disney+.