Structures
This technique provides insights into characters' thoughts and helps deepen the plot.
A flashback
Flashbacks are used to reveal Gloria's memories of playing with Barbie as a child, providing depth to her emotional connection with the character.
Barbie uses this musical element to reflect the mood and emphasise themes.
The soundtrack
When Barbie feels lost and uncertain, Billie Eilish's song, 'What Was I Made For?' plays, mirroring her inner struggle with self-identity.
This word describes a movement advocating for women's equality.
Feminism
The film critiques gender norms and presents feminist ideals through characters who challenge the traditional roles assigned to them in both Barbie Land and the real world.
This term describes overly simplified ideas about people, often played for humor in Barbie.
Stereotypes
Barbie Land features characters like Stereotypical Barbie and Ken, exaggerating traits such as beauty to highlight gender stereotypes.
Barbie’s struggle with this issue reflects societal pressure on women’s looks.
Physical appearance
Barbie confronts her anxiety about not being "perfect" anymore, symbolising the pressure women feel to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
Barbie uses two main locations to show character growth.
Barbie Land and the real world
Barbie starts in the idyllic, perfect Barbie Land but undergoes significant growth when she experiences the challenges and realities of the human world.
This visual element, often associated with Barbie’s wardrobe, represents her initial carefree persona.
Barbie's pink costumes
The bright pink outfits in Barbie Land highlight the carefree, flawless world, contrasting with the subdued colors of the real world, which reflect Barbie's evolving understanding.
A situation where people are driven to purchase more than they actually need.
Rampant Consumerism
Sasha accuses Barbie of "killing the planet" through her glorification of rampant consumerism.
Barbie fits into these two film genres.
Fantasy and comedy
The film features fantasy elements, like a perfect Barbie Land, and comedic moments, such as the Kens’ over-the-top battle for attention.
The realisation that comes from understanding true self-worth beyond physical appearance.
Self-esteem
Barbie learns to value herself for more than just her looks, symbolising a journey toward genuine self-esteem.
This refers to the journey characters undergo, showing their development over the story.
A character arc
Barbie's character arc takes her from being the perfect doll to a more self-aware and thoughtful person.
This literary device is seen when the film references 2001: A Space Odyssey in its opening.
Allusion
The opening scene alludes to 2001: A Space Odyssey, drawing parallels between the evolution of toys and the iconic monolith.
This term refers to questioning the meaning and purpose of life, which Barbie experiences.
Existential
Barbie's existential crisis is triggered when she contemplates her purpose beyond being a stereotypical doll.
The exaggerated actions of characters, like Weird Barbie, are an example of this comedic element.
Physical comedy
Weird Barbie's over-the-top movements and antics add humour, making her a memorable and comical character.
Barbie learns to accept her flaws and grow from them, reflecting this theme.
Self-discovery
Barbie's journey of self-discovery is highlighted when she embraces imperfection and realises that being human means being flawed.
This narrative device engages the audience by acknowledging the film’s fictionality, often with humour.
Breaking the fourth wall
Barbie breaks the fourth wall by addressing the audience directly, adding humor and self-awareness to the film.
The Barbie film includes a choice reminiscent of The Matrix. What does Barbie have to decide between?
High-heel shoe (Barbie Land) and the Birkenstock sandal (the real world)
Barbie must choose between the perfect but superficial world of Barbie Land and the messy, complex reality of the human world.
This phrase describes something so closely connected that it cannot be separated, used to describe Barbie and Gloria's bond.
Inextricably intertwined
Barbie and Gloria's emotions are inextricably intertwined, showing how deeply their lives influence each other.
This setting convention creates a perfect, utopian world, separate from reality.
Magical worldbuilding
Barbie Land is created as a magical, utopian world where every Barbie has a perfect life until reality intrudes.
The film challenges these preconceived notions about how men and women should behave.
Gender stereotypes
The reversal of roles in Barbie Land challenges gender stereotypes, making the audience think critically about real-world dynamics.
Ken’s transformation into a self-realised character occurs after he introduces this concept to Barbie Land.
Patriarchy
Ken attempts to replicate the patriarchal structures he admired in the real world but eventually learns the importance of self-identity beyond societal roles.
This type of humor relies on exaggerated actions to engage the audience, like Ken’s antics.
Slapstick/physical comedy
Ken’s overly dramatic beach scenes use slapstick humour to entertain the audience and underscore his superficiality.
This literary term describes when something triggers a vivid old memory, as Barbie experiences.
Proustian flashback
Barbie experiences a Proustian flashback when Gloria's memories flood her mind, linking their past experiences.
The film uses this to critique gender norms by making the Kens subordinate in Barbie Land.
The reversal of traditional gender roles
By depicting the Kens as subservient, the film humorously exposes the absurdity of rigid gender roles.
Sasha accuses Barbie of setting this social movement back 50 years.
The feminist movement
Sasha claims that Barbie’s image reinforces outdated beauty standards, which she believes undermines feminist progress.