Barbie Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A doll has an existential crisis, discovers patriarchy, and then goes to the gynecologist; sounds like a wild Tuesday.

🍿 Barbie: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Life in Barbieland

The movie opens in Barbieland, a vibrant matriarchal society where different versions of Barbie hold important positions, and the Kens exist primarily to admire them. Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) enjoys her seemingly perfect life, unaware of the changes brewing within her.

An Existential Crisis

Barbie begins to experience unsettling thoughts about death and imperfections, causing disruptions in her idealized world. Her feet flatten, and she develops cellulite, prompting a visit to Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon) who reveals a connection to the real world and a girl experiencing unhappiness.

Journey to the Real World

To restore balance, Barbie embarks on a journey to the real world, accompanied by Ken (Ryan Gosling). They encounter unexpected challenges and contrasting societal norms, including the patriarchy, which profoundly impacts Ken and sets the stage for conflict back in Barbieland.

Ken’s Patriarchy in Barbieland

Upon returning to Barbieland, Ken instigates a patriarchal takeover, altering the constitution and diminishing the Barbies’ roles. Barbie, with the help of Gloria and her daughter Sasha, must confront Ken and restore the original order while navigating complex themes of identity and purpose.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Barbie (Margot Robbie): Stereotypical Barbie experiences an existential crisis and journeys to the real world to discover her purpose.
• Ken (Ryan Gosling): Beach Ken accompanies Barbie to the real world, where he discovers the patriarchy and seeks to redefine his identity.
• Gloria (America Ferrera): A Mattel employee whose emotional connection to Barbie inadvertently triggers the events of the film.
• Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt): Gloria’s daughter who initially criticizes Barbie but ultimately helps her understand the complexities of womanhood.
• Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon): A wise and unconventional Barbie who guides Stereotypical Barbie on her journey of self-discovery.
• Mattel CEO (Will Ferrell): The bumbling CEO of Mattel who attempts to control Barbie and maintain the status quo.
• Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman): The spirit of Barbie’s creator who encourages Barbie to choose her own path and embrace her evolving identity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Barbie: “Do you guys ever think about dying?” – Barbie asks this to the other Barbies during a dance party, abruptly shattering the perfect facade of Barbieland and starting her existential crisis.
• Ken: “To be honest, when I found out the patriarchy wasn’t just about horses, I lost interest.” – Ken says this after briefly embracing patriarchal ideas from the real world, showcasing his limited understanding and easily distracted nature.
• Gloria: “It is literally impossible to be a woman.” – Gloria delivers a powerful monologue about the impossible standards and contradictions women face in society, triggering Barbie’s realization.
• Ruth Handler: “Humans only have one ending. Ideas live forever.” – Ruth Handler explains to Barbie that her impact and legacy will outlive her physical existence.
• Ken: “I’m just Ken” – Ken’s lament is sung with pathos, and embodies the pain of being defined only in relation to Barbie, leading to his identity crisis and journey of self-discovery.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $636,238,421
• Worldwide Gross: $1,447,038,421

💥 Barbie Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I went in expecting a fluffy, pink comedy, and I got that, but I also got so much more. I actually cried when Barbie met Ruth Handler. I teared up! The movie is so self-aware and funny, but it also made me think about what it means to be a woman, and it made me want to call my mom! Ryan Gosling as Ken is the star, though! The ‘I’m Just Ken’ musical number had me rolling. Definitely see this with your friends!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Greta Gerwig’s previous films (Lady Bird, Little Women)”
  • “Those interested in films that explore feminist themes”
  • “Viewers who enjoy satirical comedies with a meta narrative”
  • “People looking for a visually stunning and imaginative movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes of existentialism and identity”
  • “Satirical commentary on gender roles and societal expectations”
  • “Some suggestive humor and mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Greta Gerwig delivers a surprisingly nuanced and thought-provoking film that balances humor with insightful commentary on gender roles and identity. While the messaging can be heavy-handed at times, the film is ultimately a celebration of individuality and self-discovery.
• IMDb: “Visually stunning and filled with clever meta-humor, ‘Barbie’ succeeds as a vibrant and entertaining spectacle. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling deliver standout performances, but the film’s attempts at feminist commentary occasionally feel forced and preachy, detracting from the overall experience.
• Film School Rejects: “Gerwig manages to craft a film that’s both incredibly fun and surprisingly profound. The production design is impeccable, and the performances are top-notch. The script, while occasionally uneven, ultimately succeeds in delivering a resonant message about self-acceptance and the complexities of womanhood.

Audience Reactions

Ryan Gosling’s Ken was hilarious and stole every scene he was in.: The comedic timing of the actors, especially Gosling, made the movie incredibly entertaining.

The set design and costumes were absolutely incredible, bringing Barbieland to life.: The visuals were stunning and the attention to detail in creating Barbieland was widely appreciated.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and humorous film with insightful commentary on gender roles, though some find the messaging heavy-handed.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Song)- 2024

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The scale of Barbieland was intentionally designed to be 23% smaller than life-size, mimicking the proportions of actual Barbie dolls and accessories, creating a slightly awkward and artificial feel.”
• “Greta Gerwig named the unique color palette used in the film “Techni-Barbie,” as a nod to the classic Technicolor film process.”
• “To achieve the film’s distinct visual aesthetic, the production team relied heavily on practical effects and set design, minimizing the use of CGI to create a tangible, tactile world.”
• “The design and execution of the elaborate musical numbers drew inspiration from classic Hollywood musicals like ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Barbie?

Barbie is available for streaming on Max. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for potential theatrical re-releases.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Barbie, you might like these similar films:

• The Truman Show (1998): Explores the themes of artificial reality and existentialism as the protagonist discovers his seemingly perfect life is a constructed illusion, similar to Barbie’s journey.
• Enchanted (2007): A fairytale princess is transported to the real world and experiences culture shock and confronts the complexities of modern life, mirroring Barbie’s journey of self-discovery.
• Legally Blonde (2001): Challenges stereotypes through a female protagonist who defies expectations and proves her intelligence and capability in a male-dominated environment.
• Paddington (2014): A naive and optimistic character from another world navigating the complexities of human society with charming innocence, blending humor with heartwarming themes of belonging and acceptance.

🛒 Barbie Related Products

• Barbie Cutie Reveal Doll with 10 Surprises: Unboxing fun with a themed Barbie doll and surprise accessories. Perfect for collectors and kids!
• Barbie: A Visual Guide to 60 Years: Celebrate Barbie’s legacy with a digital book showcasing her evolution through the decades.
• Mattel Games UNO Barbie Card Game: A Barbie-themed version of the classic card game UNO. Features unique wild cards and a collectible tin.
• Barbie Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official ‘Barbie’ movie poster. Perfect for decorating a room or home theater.

🎧 Soundtrack

Barbie features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dance the Night” – performed by Dua Lipa
• “What Was I Made For?” – performed by Billie Eilish
• “I’m Just Ken” – performed by Ryan Gosling

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Barbie Movie Understood the Assignment! 👠 #shorts

Hey, do you know about the iconic Barbie feet pose? This video tells us all about its history, and it’s so much more interesting than you might think!

Barbie – How Ryan Gosling Perfected Ken

I was so impressed by Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Ken in the Barbie movie. This video essay does a great job of breaking down his performance and showing us all the little details that made the character so memorable.

Barbie: An Accidental Anti-‘Woke’ Masterpiece

If you’ve seen the Barbie movie, you might be surprised by this video’s take on it. It argues that the movie is actually an accidental anti-woke masterpiece, and I have to say, it makes some interesting points!

✨ Rate