After months of anticipation, on July 21st, Barbie started playing in theaters. Social media was buzzing about this movie for months, and no one knew what to expect. The second it came out, the theaters were overflowing with people in pink. Within days, everyone’s Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok feeds were filled with clips or opinions on the movie itself. Because of social media and the ongoing debates, the movie quickly flourished to become America’s highest-grossing movie of 2023.
The movie begins in a world where women are in charge. The Barbies are living in a ‘Barbie world’, a feminist utopia where women are in charge and men (in this case the Kens) move aimlessly about with little purpose or meaning. Each Barbie has their own special personality trait that creates many different views and jobs. Although the feminist theme of the movie is very clear, many individuals interpret it differently. Those opinions and interpretations quickly made their way across all social media platforms to form debates, which encouraged more people to watch the film. Depending on age, gender, and morals, everybody has a different interpretation of the film.
I talked to two teachers within Berkely to hear their opinions on the movie and what they have heard about it. I talked to both Ms. Nixon and Mrs. Sims and they both absolutely loved the movie. Ms. Nixon explains, “I think the messages behind everything were really powerful. It was a ‘find your purpose’ message. Each character found their niche, what they wanted to do.” Mrs. Sims also found that the movie had an important message, “The movie really captured the struggles women have with feeling free to be themselves. Each of them felt like they had a place in society.” The theme the movie represents is the power women can hold. That’s why women hold a place in their heart for this movie.
After interviewing two women, I figured it would be necessary to get another perspective, so I interviewed freshman and sophomore boys here at Berkley. Sophomore Dillon Dougherty claims, “It was good, a funny story, but a bit confusing.” This is understandable since there were many references to how Barbies were typically played with by girls, whereas most Gen Z boys grew up in a world where Barbies weren’t meant for them, they never got the ‘Barbie experience’. This may lead to the reason why Doughtery claims it to be hard to understand. Freshman Greyson Scalzi says, “I did not like the Barbie movie,” he adds on with, “it was corny.” Scalzi emphasizes, “The movie didn’t deserve the hype.” Doughtery also explained, “The movie seemed to give off the message that men rule the world, which I didn’t understand. Although, I didn’t think the movie was too feminist either.” Both boys explained, “I’ve seen and heard the debates about too much feminism.” Dougherty makes it clear that he doesn’t agree with it by saying, “I definitely don’t think there was too much feminism, but I have heard a lot of people who do think that.”
Social media has taken the message of the movie out of proportion. Ben Shapiro, an American columnist, author, and conservative political commentator, has taken his strong opinions to Youtube. On his youtube video “Ben Shapiro DESTROYS The Barbie Movie For 43 Minutes” he claims, “This movie is made for no one. If anything, it is made for seven year olds. It will fall off a cliff.” Whereas a famous youtuber, Ian Kochinski made a video responding to Shapiro called “Ben Shapiro’s Barbie Review FAILS MISERABLY On Every Level”. Within this he emphasizes, “I saw many different ages and genders within the theater, but this movie is not made for seven year olds. And actually, it is still thriving.” The movie definitely attracts a large audience, but the targeted audience of females enjoys the movie. Shapiro explains, “The whole movie is about men and women hating each other to be happy. That seems to be the final outcome.” Kochinski counters with, “The message is not this at all. It is actually enthusiastic about the role that idealized femininity can have on people’s self perception, in a good way.” If these are the two views people take, then it is clear why there are arguments. Shapiro also claims that, “Barbie is overwhelmed with sexism when she walks into the real world. The sexist things they show in the movie haven’t happened in 70 years.” Kochinski replies with, “It is clear that Barbie just felt uncomfortable when entering the real world.” Clearly they both feel strongly about the feminism this movie shows. There are many people around the world who have these opinions, which form arguments.
It is fairly noticeable that depending on your age, gender, and morals, each individual has a different opinion on the new film. As we were able to tell, by word of mouth and social media, arguments quickly formed by the different groups. There is a clear line that females enjoy the storyline of the movie more so than males. Overall the movie and messages are loved by its chosen audience, but will social media drama take that away from them?