Greta Gerwig's Barbie film blends satire and feminism in a Mattel-backed spectacle

Greta Gerwig's 2023 film Barbie, starring Margot Robbie as Stereotypical Barbie, presents a satirical comedy with feminist themes while serving as a corporate promotion for Mattel's doll. Co-written with Noah Baumbach, the movie follows Barbie's journey from Barbieland, a matriarchal society with a female President and Supreme Court, to the real world after experiencing human imperfections like cellulite and thoughts of death. In Los Angeles, she meets Gloria, a Mattel employee played by America Ferrera, who delivers a monologue about societal expectations on women. Ryan Gosling's Ken, alongside Michael Cera as Allan, highlights male roles as decorative in Barbieland, with Ken bringing patriarchy back as the "Kendom." The film references Patricia Lockwood's 2021 novel No-One is Talking About This and includes cameos like Earring Magic Ken. It critiques capitalism and patriarchy through scenes such as Barbie complimenting an elderly woman at a bus stop, emphasizing themes of aging and gender inequality. Despite its didactic moments, the movie is noted for its visual design and humor, with a plot that parallels childhood to adulthood transitions. Philippa Snow, a writer from Norwich, UK, authored the review for ArtReview, discussing the film's blend of silliness and seriousness.