For some women in China, “Barbie” is more than just a movie — it’s also a litmus test for their partner’s views on feminism and patriarchy.
The movie has prompted intense social media discussion online, media outlets Sixth Tone and the China Project reported this week, prompting women to discuss their own dating experiences.
One user on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu — a photo-sharing site similar to Instagram that’s mostly used by Gen Z women — even shared a guide on Monday for how women can test their boyfriends based on their reaction to the film.
According to the guide, if a man shows hatred for “Barbie” and slams female directors after they leave the theatre, then this man is “stingy” and a “toxic chauvinist,” according to Insider’s translation of the post. Conversely, if a man understands even half of the movie’s themes, “then he is likely a normal guy with normal values and stable emotions,” the user wrote.
I feel you, but if the movie shows any type of struggle against power, it is probably a more universal theme than what we percieve , especially here in the US, its probably just not that great of a movie otherwise, but with a relatable message. I have zero interest in seeing it, but now that it’s become this culturally charged, I feel I must.
Eh, I don’t particularly care how ‘culturally charged’ it is, nor do I feel like forcing myself to watch something for a reason like that. I just don’t care enough about Barbie for it to be worth it.
Yea that’s fair, and tbh, the way I live my day to day, I probably won’t end up ever seeing it. Lol