Barbie (2023)
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A doll experiencing an existential crisis journeys from a matriarchal paradise to the real world to find her identity.
The story
In the matriarchal society of Barbieland, a 'stereotypical' Barbie lives a life of perfection among other Barbies and Kens. However, her world is shaken when she suddenly becomes aware of mortality and physical imperfections. To cure her condition, she is told by a disfigured doll to find the child who plays with her in the real world. Accompanied by a stowaway Beach Ken, Barbie travels to the human world. Their arrival in the real world triggers a search for their capture by the executives of Mattel, while Barbie and Ken begin to grapple with the complexities of their existence and the reality of the world beyond their plastic borders.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In Barbieland, a matriarchal society, a 'stereotypical' Barbie begins to experience an existential crisis, developing human traits like cellulite and flat feet. To fix this, she travels to the real world with Beach Ken. While in the human world, they are pursued by Mattel executives who want to reclaim them. Barbie meets a teenager named Sasha and her mother, Gloria, who helps her understand the complexities of being a woman. Meanwhile, Ken discovers the concept of patriarchy and attempts to lead the Kens in Barbieland to take over. After a conflict where the Kens attempt to subvert Barbieland, Gloria helps the Barbies reclaim their independence. The film concludes with Barbie and Ken making amends, and Barbie choosing to become human, eventually becoming 'Barbara Handler' in the real world.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 114
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Greta Gerwig
- Writers
- Greta Gerwig · writer; Noah Baumbach · writer
- Cast and characters
- Margot Robbie · Barbie; Ryan Gosling · Ken; America Ferrera; Kate McKinnon; Issa Rae; Rhea Perlman; Will Ferrell; Michael Cera · Allan
- Genres
- fantasy; comedy
- Themes
- identity; feminism; existentialism
- Tone and mood
- fantasy; comedic
- Premise and plot tags
- live-action adaptation; toy-based
- Source material / true-story basis
- fashion dolls by Mattel
- Franchise connections
- Barbie
- Reception
- The film received widespread critical acclaim and was named one of the top ten films of 2023 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe Award · Cinematic and Box Office Achievement · win
- Production trivia
- The film's concurrent release with Oppenheimer created the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon.; The film grossed $1.448 billion, becoming Warner Bros.' highest-grossing film.; The film tied with Cabaret (1972) for the second-most nominations in Golden Globe Awards history.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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