Cinema, Pop Culture and Gender: A study of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie (2023)

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By: Rebecca Alisha Matthews , MCVA sem 6, Roll No: 0871

Released in 2023, Barbie became of the most talked about films of the year. Having been criticized with varied opinions. One thing that remains prominent in the film is its representation of gender and how Barbie, the doll became a powerful icon in most girls’ life.

The film is a live action adaptation of the classic Barbie doll in contemporary times. Centering around the nostalgia, evolution, history and fading of the iconic female figure, that played a significant part in our lives while growing up. Initially popular amongst the female population, Barbie, from its very invention became the symbol of female representation. For generations girls have looked up to Barbie, the doll, who can be anything she wants, who can have anything she wants, live wherever she wants and achieve her dreams in all spectrum of life. Barbie became a powerful icon that made millions of girls around the world believe that they can do anything they want and do everything that traditionally was done by man. Barbie became the symbol of strength and inspiration for girls and brought the notion that girls are unstoppable and can achieve the same success and power that men hold.

Coming back to the film, it showcases the traditional Barbie living in a world completely run by other Barbies while the men (Kens) were just there to support them. Which challenges the traditional society we live in where man is the bread earner while the women support them. The film takes place in the world of Barbie where she and the other Barbies live in the dream house. Women were the center of the state and patriarchy did not exist since the very beginning. It had always been this way in Barbie land which absolutely contrasts the real world we live in where patriarchy is still mostly the center while the female is considered as the “other.” 

Since the film showcased the traditional Barbie, it includes stereotypical elements like the use of the colour pink usually associated with femininity while the boys wore other pastel shades. Another element noticed in the film was the involvement of various Barbies, consisting of different race, colour, bodies, jobs etc. The conclusion of the film is Barbie and Ken’s self-discoveries and the journey towards finding their own identities. It all starts off with Barbie’s visit to the real world after a series of strange events started happening in her life, only to discover the mass criticism she was receiving from the current generation and the fading of her value and love among the girls which led to Barbie questioning her purpose in these girls’ life. Meanwhile Ken found out about patriarchy and brought it back to Barbie land where he along with the other kens started replacing Barbies from all power positions while the Barbies did submissive jobs. Trying to make a copy of the traditional world view where men were supposed to rule while women were given domestic work. Later with a series of planning and fighting the Barbies won their land back while Ken went on his own journey to find his place and identity in the world.  

With the release of “Barbie” it took the media by storm with multiple opinions. The movie as well as the doll became a significant figure in cinema, pop culture and gender studies. The initial representation of women in Barbie dolls, even though criticized now for showcasing unreal stereotypes and unrealistic beauty standards when it was produced back in the days, one cannot disagree from the fact that Barbies, as it evolved, became a symbol of female empowerment and the doll itself became a powerful female figure in Pop culture and television. With the introduction of various types of Barbies involving different race, body type, different profession etc many movies and TV series were also produced. Overall, Barbie’s purpose became to inspire millions of little girls and lead them to believe that they can be and do anything they want. The concept of Barbie changed from just being a doll in the initial days with whom one can play “house” with to the introduction of Barbie in various forms so that girls from all walks of life could relate to her. 

When Barbie came into the scene, it completely changed the perspective of girls living in a patriarchal society. The doll and the various life she lived challenged the norms of the time, giving each girl a sense of free will and power. The film pays homage to this classic Barbie doll which was a big part of our childhood and the showcased the power she represented.