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.
The movie isn’t being hypocritical, Ken is supposed to reflect the negative stereotypes and expectations put upon men by patriarchy, and the double-sided sword male stereotypes are. Ken both desires the respect and recognition they give, whilst breaking down over the emotional suppresion and hardy appearances they force upon guys.
Ken’s Lines from the penultimate musical number: “I have feelings that i can’t explain, driving me insane” “Am i not hot when I’m in my feelings?” “Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blond fragility?”
Great, so how about we level the movie out with a Barbie with a huge rack, a low cut top, and a rocking ass just hanging out since her attractiveness and sexiness are major themes? Or how about not either one Barbie or Ken and just make them regular attractive people with clothes on please? And if we are going to have Ken be a significant character, give him the ability to not be a passive doofus jerk about every single thing, whose only self driven character progression is toward awfulness. Maybe he can learn anything without Barbie explaining it to him.
The movie is bad. It never heard of, “Show, don’t tell.” It’s also obviously sexist. It’s impossible to miss that there are many Barbies and Kens and all Barbies are great unless they’re somehow tricked into being oppressed and all Kens are fucking morons who, when left to their own devices, fuck everything up. These are pretty major plot points and I didn’t appreciate them.
Just a note, I have zero problems with horny movies, but if you’re trying make a point about people, “having”, to be sexy, be consistent.