The reviews of "Toy Story 5" have been largely focused on the film's central crisis: the fact that "nobody's really playing" anymore. However, Stuart N. Brotman argues that this message is missed by adults who are increasingly becoming more connected online and less capable of building relationships. He argues that the film is a portrait of ourselves, not just children, but also adults who have traded neighbors, standing dinners, and regular phone calls for technology. The Survey Center on American Life found that 12% of American adults now report having no confidant, up from 3% in 1990. AARP reported that four in 10 adults over 45 are now lonely, up to 35% in 2018. Brottman argues this shift is not a pandemic trend that is healing. The most enduring takeaway from “Toy Story5” has been reduced to “Go be with your friends in the real world.