A Complete Guide to 'Barbie'

Overview

• Barbie (2023), directed by Greta Gerwig, is a satirical fantasy-comedy that reimagines the iconic doll's world, blending humour, self-awareness, and feminist philosophy.

• The film follows Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie), who lives a seemingly perfect existence in Barbie Land until she begins to experience existential anxiety. Her journey to the Real World forces her to confront societal expectations, identity struggles, and the complexities of feminism.

• Alongside Barbie, Ken (Ryan Gosling) embarks on his own misguided journey of self-discovery, leading to a satirical exploration of gender roles and power dynamics.

  

• Barbie critiques patriarchy and consumerism, using vivid production design, metafiction, and comedy to examine how society shapes identity.

• Drawing inspiration from feminist thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir and existentialist ideas from Jean-Paul Sartre, the film challenges audiences to reflect on personal and societal conditioning.

Plot Summary

• Barbie follows Stereotypical Barbie, who lives an idealised life in Barbie Land, where women hold all positions of power, and everything is seemingly perfect. However, she begins experiencing unsettling thoughts of death and notices physical imperfections, prompting her to seek answers in the Real World.
• Along with Ken, who hopes to gain her attention, Barbie travels to Los Angeles to discover the realities of patriarchy, gender inequality, and the societal pressures women face. Meanwhile, Ken, enamoured by male dominance, brings patriarchal values back to Barbie Land, transforming it into a "Kendom."
• Barbie meets Gloria, a Mattel employee, and her daughter, Sasha, who helps her understand the pressures and contradictions women navigate in modern society. Meanwhile, Ken's newfound power highlights his own insecurities as he struggles to define himself beyond his relationship with Barbie.
• Barbie and Gloria rally the Barbies to reclaim their autonomy, exposing the Kens' version of masculinity as shallow and performative. In the end, Barbie realises she no longer wants to be just a doll—she wants to experience life as a human.
• The film concludes with Barbie choosing to leave Barbie Land, embrace the unknown, and forge her own identity in the Real World.

Key Moments

Opening Scene: Barbie Land's Perfection and Satire

• The film opens with a parody of 2001: A Space Odyssey, where young girls, traditionally expected to play with baby dolls, smash them in awe of the towering presence of Stereotypical Barbie.
• This sequence satirically positions Barbie as a liberator from gendered expectations of motherhood, reinforcing the idea that Barbie was designed to empower women.
• The bright, artificial world of Barbie Land is introduced, with the narrator stating: "Thanks to Barbie, all problems of feminism and equal rights have been solved."
• Significance: This moment establishes Barbie Land as a utopia built on feminist ideals—though its perfection is later revealed to be just as flawed as the Real World's patriarchy.

Barbie's Existential Crisis: "Do you guys ever think about dying?"

• During a perfect Barbie Land dance party, Barbie suddenly asks: "Do you guys ever think about dying?"—stunning the other Barbies into silence.
• The vibrant lighting and upbeat choreography freeze as Barbie unknowingly breaks the illusion of perfection.
• Significance: This moment marks Barbie's first step towards self-awareness. It disrupts her ideal existence and foreshadows her journey into the Real World in search of answers about identity and mortality.

Ken Discovers Patriarchy and Transforms Barbie Land

• In Los Angeles, Ken is introduced to patriarchal structures, mistaking them for a system in which men are inherently valued. Inspired, he brings these ideas back to Barbie Land, turning it into "Kendom."
• Ken replaces Barbie's dream house with his "Mojo Dojo Casa House," and the once-powerful Barbies are reduced to subservient roles.
• Significance: This shift highlights the film's satirical take on gender dynamics, showing how easily power structures can be manipulated. Ken's arc mirrors how real-world gender norms shape identity and self-worth.

Gloria's Monologue: The Contradictions of Womanhood

• Gloria (America Ferrera) delivers a powerful speech about the impossible societal expectations placed on women: "You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish… It's too hard!"
• As she speaks, the Barbies awaken from their patriarchal brainwashing, reclaiming their agency.
• Significance: This speech resonates beyond the film, reflecting the real-world struggles of women navigating contradictory expectations. It serves as a turning point in the plot, restoring balance to Barbie Land.

Final Scene: Barbie Chooses to Become Human

• After restoring Barbie Land, Barbie realises she no longer belongs in either world. She meets Ruth Handler, Barbie's creator, who tells her: "We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they have come."
• In a moving montage set to Billie Eilish's What Was I Made For?, Barbie sees real women's lives across different generations.
• She chooses to become human, symbolising self-determination and breaking free from her manufactured identity.
• The film ends with Barbie entering the Real World and humorously visiting a gynaecologist, reinforcing her new, imperfect but authentic existence.

Character Overview

Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie):

• The film's protagonist, Stereotypical Barbie, starts as the idealised version of femininity—beautiful, confident, and perpetually happy. However, when she begins to experience existential thoughts, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
• Her crisis begins with the question: "Do you guys ever think about dying?"—a moment that disrupts the illusion of Barbie Land's perfection.
• Over the course of the film, she learns that she is more than a product or an idea. Her decision to become human symbolises self-actualisation: "I want to be part of the people that make meaning."

Ken (Ryan Gosling):

• Ken starts as Barbie's devoted companion, existing solely for her approval: "Barbie has a great day every day, but Ken only has a great day if Barbie looks at Him."
• His discovery of patriarchy in the Real World leads him to believe that men should have power, which he enforces by transforming Barbie Land into "Kendom."
• However, his character arc highlights the dangers of basing self-worth on external validation. In the end, he realises, "Ken is me." This signifies his journey toward individuality beyond his relationship with Barbie.

Gloria (America Ferrera):

• A Mattel employee and mother to Sasha, Gloria is struggling with her identity and self-worth when she rediscovers Barbie. She is the one who helps Barbie understand the contradictions of being a woman in the Real World.
• Her speech about the impossible expectations placed on women serves as a pivotal moment in the film: "You have to be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong."
• Gloria ultimately bridges Barbie and the human experience, inspiring Barbie's decision to leave Barbie Land.

Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt):

• Sasha, Gloria's teenage daughter, initially resents Barbie and criticises her as a symbol of unrealistic beauty standards and consumerism: "You represent everything wrong with our culture."
• However, as she reconnects with her mother, she softens towards Barbie, realising that empowerment and self-worth are more complex than a simple rejection of femininity.

Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman):

• Ruth Handler, Barbie's creator, appears as a guiding figure, offering Barbie wisdom about humanity: "We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they have come."
• She represents Barbie's transition from an object to a person, encouraging her to embrace imperfection and real life.

Main Themes

1. Identity and Self-Discovery

• Throughout the film, Barbie struggles with the realisation that she is more than just a doll—she is a construct shaped by societal expectations. Her journey mirrors existentialist philosophy, particularly Jean-Paul Sartre's idea that "existence precedes essence".

• Barbie's growing self-awareness begins with her existential crisis: "I feel kind of ill at ease, like I don't have a word for it but I'm conscious, but it's myself that I'm conscious of."

  

• Ken also grapples with his identity as he learns that he is more than just Barbie's sidekick. His final revelation, "Ken is me", highlights the importance of self-definition beyond external validation.

• The montage set to What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish reinforces the idea that identity is not fixed but shaped by experience and self-discovery.

2. Feminism and Gender Roles

• Barbie explores the contradictions of modern feminism, questioning both extreme matriarchy (Barbie Land) and traditional patriarchy (the Real World).
• In Barbie Land, women hold all positions of power, yet their world is just as artificial as the Real World's patriarchy. The narrator sarcastically states: "Thanks to Barbie, all problems of feminism and equal rights have been solved."
• Ken's experience in the Real World leads him to believe that patriarchy is the natural order. His transformation of Barbie Land into "Kendom" highlights how societal power structures influence individual identity.
• Gloria's speech serves as the film's core feminist message, detailing the impossible standards placed on women: "You have to be thin, but not too thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money."
• The film ultimately argues for balance, showing that empowerment is about individual self-worth rather than rigid gender roles.

3. Consumerism and Capitalism

• Barbie satirises how capitalism commodifies feminism, reducing empowerment to a marketable product.

• Sasha directly confronts Barbie on this issue: "You destroy girls' innate sense of worth, and you are killing the planet with your glorification of rampant consumerism."

  

• The Mattel executives, led by the CEO (Will Ferrell), represent the corporate tendency to package social progress for profit. When asked what Barbie's ending should be, the CEO simplistically responds: "Well, that's easy. She's in love with Ken."—reducing her existence to a romance narrative.

• By leaving Barbie Land and entering the Real World, Barbie rejects being a product and embraces a self-defined, authentic life.

Film Techniques

The film employs a range of cinematic techniques to enhance its themes of identity, feminism, and consumerism. Below is a table outlining five key techniques used in Barbie (2023):

Technique	Example	Effect & Analysis
Satire	"Thanks to Barbie, all problems of feminism and equal rights have been solved." – Narrator	The film mocks the idea that a commercial product can solve systemic issues, highlighting the absurdity of consumer-driven feminism.
Colour and Saturation	The vibrant pink aesthetic of Barbie Land vs. the muted tones of the Real World	The artificial perfection of Barbie Land contrasts with the complexity and imperfection of real life, reinforcing Barbie's journey toward self-awareness.
Close-Up Shots	Barbie's existential crisis: "Do you guys ever think about dying?"	The sudden close-up emphasises her discomfort, making the audience experience the tension as the illusion of Barbie Land is disrupted.
Montage	What Was I Made For? sequence showing real women's lives	Reinforces the idea that identity is shaped by experiences, not predetermined roles, and connects Barbie's fictional existence to real human struggles.
Breaking the Fourth Wall	Helen Mirren's narration: "Note to the filmmakers: Margot Robbie is the wrong person to cast if you want to make this point."	The film's self-awareness adds humour while critiquing Hollywood's beauty standards, reinforcing the theme of unrealistic expectations for women.

General Vision and Viewpoint (GVV)

The General Vision and Viewpoint (GVV) of Barbie is a blend of optimism, satire, and existential questioning. While the film begins in an idealised, utopian world, it quickly deconstructs this perfection to reveal deeper themes of gender inequality, self-identity, and societal contradictions.

1. Opening and Closing Scenes: Contrasting Perspectives

• The film's opening scene establishes a world of artificial perfection, where Barbie Land appears to be a feminist utopia. The narrator sarcastically states: "Thanks to Barbie, all problems of feminism and equal rights have been solved."

  • This initial vision is highly optimistic but ultimately naive, as it is later revealed that Barbie Land mirrors the Real World's structural imbalances in a reversed way.
  • The use of bright colours and choreographed perfection reinforces the illusion of a flawless society.

• The final scene, however, presents a realistic yet hopeful vision. Barbie chooses to become human, stepping into the Real World despite its imperfections.

  • Her last line, "I'm here to see my gynaecologist," is both humorous and profound, symbolising her acceptance of womanhood in all its complexities.
  • The shift in tone from satirical to sincere reflects the film's belief that true fulfilment comes from self-discovery rather than imposed ideals.

2. A Balance Between Hope and Critique

• Barbie does not present a purely optimistic or pessimistic worldview but instead balances satire with sincerity.
• Satirical elements (e.g., Ken's exaggerated embrace of patriarchy) highlight the absurdity of gender roles, but the film ultimately conveys a hopeful message: both men and women can redefine themselves beyond societal expectations.
• Gloria's speech captures this duality, acknowledging women's struggles and affirming their resilience::highlight["Even if you can't make it perfect, you can make it better."]

3. Key Moments That Shape the GVV

Moment	GVV Impact
Barbie's existential crisis ("Do you guys ever think about dying?")	Introduces the idea that perfection is an illusion, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of self-identity.
Ken's discovery of patriarchy	Initially humorous, this moment critiques gender power structures, showing how easily societal norms can be manipulated.
Gloria's monologue	Acknowledges the struggles of modern womanhood while encouraging resilience and empowerment, reinforcing a balanced GVV.
Barbie's choice to become human	Suggests that personal growth and self-acceptance are more meaningful than striving for unattainable ideals.

4. Influence of Setting on the GVV

• Barbie Land vs. the Real World: The stark contrast between these two worlds plays a crucial role in shaping the GVV.
  • Barbie Land represents a naïve, idealistic vision of feminism, where women hold all power but remain unaware of external realities.
  • The Real World exposes the harshness of gender inequality but also allows Barbie to evolve beyond her manufactured identity.
  • The contrast between the two settings reinforces the idea that neither extreme is truly fulfilling—self-definition lies somewhere in between.

Conclusion: A Vision of Growth and Self-Awareness

• Barbie presents an initially optimistic but ultimately reflective vision, advocating for self-acceptance and balance rather than extremes.
• The film critiques both patriarchy and consumer-driven feminism yet leaves the audience with a sense of hope and agency—people can reshape their identities beyond societal expectations.

Literary Genre

The Literary Genre of Barbie blends fantasy, satire, comedy, and existential drama, creating a unique storytelling experience. Greta Gerwig uses a mix of metafiction, visual symbolism, and intertextual references to engage the audience while delivering deeper philosophical and feminist themes.

1. Narrative Style and Structure

• The film follows a dual-world structure—Barbie Land and the Real World—creating a contrast between fantasy and reality.
• The hero's journey framework applies to Barbie, who begins in a world of perfection, experiences crisis, and ultimately chooses personal growth over illusion.
• The story is self-aware and metafictional, frequently breaking the fourth wall to critique itself (e.g., the narrator's remark about Margot Robbie's casting).
• Unlike traditional adventure stories, Barbie does not end with an external resolution but with an internal transformation—Barbie chooses to become human.

2. Genre Conventions in Barbie

Genre	Example in the Film	Effect
Fantasy	Barbie Land's artificial perfection, with floating objects and dream-like logic	Reinforces the idea that Barbie's world is a constructed illusion, making its breakdown more impactful.
Satire	Ken's exaggerated embrace of patriarchy	Highlights the absurdity of gender roles, using humour to expose deeper societal issues.
Comedy	"And this is my dream house, it's Barbie's dream house, it's not Ken's dream house, right?"	Uses humour to reinforce Barbie's autonomy and the gender dynamics of Barbie Land.
Existential Drama	Barbie's emotional breakdown and What Was I Made For? montage	Adds depth to Barbie's character arc, elevating the film beyond a lighthearted comedy.
Metafiction	The narrator commenting: "Note to the filmmakers: Margot Robbie is the wrong person to cast if you want to make this point."	Breaks the fourth wall to critique Hollywood's unrealistic beauty standards, reinforcing the film's feminist themes.

3. Use of Symbolism and Intertextuality

• 2001: A Space Odyssey Parody – The opening scene mirrors Kubrick's classic film, replacing apes with young girls smashing baby dolls, symbolising Barbie's supposed "liberation" of women from motherhood.
• Barbie Land's Artificial Perfection – The hyper-feminine, plastic-like world visually reinforces the idea that Barbie's existence is constructed and lacks true depth.
• The "Mojo Dojo Casa House" – Ken's redesigned Barbie Dream House symbolises how societal power structures can be easily overturned and manipulated.
• The What Was I Made For? Montage – The montage of real women's lives, set to Billie Eilish's song, underscores the existential theme that identity is formed through experience rather than predetermined roles.

4. Climax and Resolution

• The film's climax does not follow a traditional action-packed confrontation but instead takes an introspective turn, with Barbie meeting Ruth Handler.
• Ruth tells Barbie: "We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they have come."
• The resolution is not about restoring Barbie Land but about Barbie's personal choice—she embraces imperfection and enters the Real World as a human.
• The closing line, "I'm here to see my gynaecologist," is both comedic and symbolic, reinforcing Barbie's acceptance of real womanhood beyond societal expectations.

Conclusion: A Playful but Profound Genre Blend

• Barbie defies easy categorisation, combining fantasy, satire, and existential drama to create a unique cinematic experience.
• While it retains the humour and vibrant aesthetic associated with Barbie, it challenges traditional genre expectations, replacing a simple hero's journey with an introspective transformation.
• The use of metafiction, symbolism, and intertextuality enriches the narrative, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Cultural Context

The Cultural Context of Barbie is deeply rooted in contemporary discussions of gender roles, feminism, consumerism, and identity. The film contrasts the exaggerated matriarchy of Barbie Land with the entrenched patriarchy of the Real World, using satire to critique societal norms.

1. Gender Roles and Societal Expectations

• Barbie reflects modern debates on gender by highlighting the contradictory expectations placed on women:
  • Gloria's monologue: "You have to be thin, but not too thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean."
  • This speech encapsulates how contemporary Western society imposes impossible standards on women, expecting them to balance empowerment with humility.
• The film also explores men's struggles with identity under patriarchy:
  • Ken's crisis—"I just don't know who I am without you."—exposes how men, too, can feel trapped by societal expectations, mirroring real-world conversations about masculinity and self-worth.

2. Consumerism and Corporate Feminism

• Barbie critiques how capitalism exploits feminism for profit, reflecting the commercialisation of empowerment.
• Sasha directly calls Barbie out: "You destroy girls' innate sense of worth, and you are killing the planet with your glorification of rampant consumerism."
• Mattel, the corporation behind Barbie, is portrayed as a clueless, male-dominated business that profits from feminist ideals while failing to fully understand them.
• The irony is that Barbie, a film critiquing consumerism, is itself a highly profitable blockbuster produced by a corporation. This self-awareness adds depth to the cultural critique.

3. Contrasting Societies: Barbie Land vs. The Real World

• The film presents two extreme societies, neither of which fully represents equality:
  • Barbie Land: A matriarchal utopia where women hold all positions of power, but the Kens lack identity and purpose. This mirrors the fantasy of an ideal feminist society but also highlights its flaws.
  • The Real World: A patriarchal society where men dominate corporate and political power, and women still struggle for equality.
• This contrast allows the film to explore the complexities of gender relations in modern culture, showing that true equality is about balance, not dominance by one gender over another.

Society	Power Structure	Cultural Message
Barbie Land	Women rule everything, men are secondary	Highlights an idealised feminist utopia but also its limitations. Shows that power imbalances—regardless of gender—lead to issues.
The Real World	Men hold power, women are undermined	Reflects the real-world struggles of women in business, politics, and social expectations. Satirises modern patriarchy.
Post-Kendom Barbie Land	Balance restored	The film ultimately suggests that gender should not define power or identity—both men and women must find self-worth beyond societal expectations.

4. Cultural References and Philosophical Influences

• The film draws on feminist and existentialist philosophy:
  • Simone de Beauvoir: "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman." → Barbie's journey reflects this idea, as she transitions from a manufactured ideal into a self-actualised individual.
  • Jean-Paul Sartre: "Existence precedes essence." → Both Barbie and Ken struggle to define their identities beyond their original "roles."
• The parody of 2001: A Space Odyssey in the opening scene references the evolution of gender roles, comparing Barbie's creation to humanity's leap into intelligence.
• The montage of real women's lives, set to What Was I Made For?, reminds the audience that womanhood is not a singular experience but a collection of diverse, real-life stories.

Conclusion: A Critique of Modern Culture with a Hopeful Vision

• Barbie reflects and critiques modern gender politics, capitalism, and self-identity, making it deeply relevant to today's cultural landscape.
• By contrasting Barbie Land with the Real World, the film highlights the flaws of both extreme patriarchy and matriarchy, advocating for self-awareness and balance rather than dominance.
• The final message is one of hope—Barbie chooses to become human, embracing the imperfections and complexities of real life rather than living in a manufactured fantasy.