The following contains spoilers for Barbie, which is now playing in theaters.
Greta Gerwig’s new Barbie movie is already one of the biggest films of 2023, telling an emotionally resonant tale of self-acceptance and equality through Mattel’s iconic doll brand. Complete with a cast of A-list stars led by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, Barbie is one of the most fun films of the summer.
Barbie manages to be both ridiculous and heartwarming in its rather complex story. Whether through silly laugh lines or compelling monologues, Barbie reaches out to its audience through a variety of memorable quotes that help elevate the film to a level beyond that of a typical summer blockbuster.
10 “We Mothers Stand Still…”
Ruth Handler
“We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they have come.”
Rhea Perlman plays a pivotal role in Barbie, with her character confirmed to be Ruth Handler, the original creator of Barbie. During an emotional exchange with Margot Robbie’s Stereotypical Barbie, Ruth makes a thoughtful statement on the relationship between mothers and daughters, claiming that mothers stand still so that their daughters can do further in life.
Ruth’s statement is profound and deeply meaningful in the context of the film. Her words betray her notion of motherhood over the Barbies, watching each of her children go on to achieve her dream. Moreover, Ruth’s words harken back to the relationship between Gloria and her daughter, who overcame their estrangement and forge a stronger bond by the end of the film.
9 “It’s Like I’ve Been In A Dream…”
Writer Barbie
“It’s like I’ve been in a dream where I was really invested in the Zack Snyder cut of Justice League.”
One of Barbie‘s most controversial moments comes in the form of a line spoken by Alexandra Shipp’s Writer Barbie. After she is freed from the Kens’ brainwashing, Writer Barbie comments on her experience, recounting a state of being wherein she inexplicably cared deeply about the director’s cut of Justice League.
In the wake of the DC Extended Universe ending, Zack Snyder’s fans have been more than vocal about their opinions regarding the future of DC films. By making reference to the so-called “Snyder Cut,” Barbie pokes fun at just how widespread this movement became, while also allowing Warner Bros. a chance to fire back at fans who often criticized Justice League‘s theatrical cut in 2017.
8 “Thanks To Barbie, All Problems Of Feminism Have Been Solved.”
Narrator
Early in Barbie‘s run, Helen Mirren’s narrator gives an opening narration to establish how Barbieland functions in its relationship to the real world. Describing a world wherein women run everything, the narrator makes the bold claim that Barbie’s invention solved all the problems confronted by feminism–both in Barbieland and in the real world.
This tongue-in-cheek joke works well for the efficiency of Barbie‘s story. In one quick and memorable joke, the narrator reveals exactly how Barbies view the world, juxtaposing their position with the reality of which the audience is already aware. As the events of the film unfold, it is Barbie that has to catch up to the audience as she realizes the truth about human society.
7 “My Job, It’s Just Beach.”
Ken
Barbie features one of Ryan Gosling’s best film performances, as he perfectly embodies the spirit of Ken. When Ken is given an opportunity to describe his role and purpose in life, only one word can truly capture his point: Beach.
Everything about Ken is simple, including his so-called purpose. Gosling applies this simplicity to his performance, crafting a character who is both entertaining and endlessly vapid. However, Ken does grow in complexity as the film goes on, eventually realizing that he can be more than a stereotypical love interest.
6 “It Is The Best Day Ever…”
Barbie
“It is the best day ever. So was yesterday, and so is tomorrow, and every day from now until forever. “
The opening sequence of Barbie gives viewers a perfect line of sight into the everyday life of Barbieland, which is supposedly perfect in every way. As Margot Robbie’s Stereotypical Barbie states, every day is perfect, with nothing ever going wrong.
Barbie initially paints Barbieland as a utopia, wherein all of its inhabitants are endlessly happy all the time. While this initially sounds like the perfect life, Barbie goes on to make the point that sadness, tears, and imperfection can be okay too. In fact, one very imperfect day would prove to be the most important day in Stereotypical Barbie’s life.
5 “Casting Margot Robbie…”
Narrator
“Note to filmmakers: Casting Margot Robbie is the wrong person you want to make this point.”
Barbie is already considered to include one of Margot Robbie’s best film roles, but the film still can’t resist but take playful shots at its leading lady. During an emotional scene wherein Barbie claims to no longer be pretty, Helen Mirren’s narrator interrupts with a fourth-wall-breaking comment noting that Robbie is the wrong actress to utter such a line.
Barbie‘s self-referential nature proves to be a highlight of the film, but few scenes go as far as this. Wrongly executed, this line could have easily derailed Barbie‘s world-building by directly addressing the audience. However, Mirren’s dry delivery and Robbie’s ability to laugh at herself help make this moment land as one of the funniest lines in the entire film.
4 “KEN IS ME!”
Ken
All throughout his life, Ken was solely interested in being Barbie’s love interest, at the expense of his own self-discovery. However, after a heartfelt discussion with Barbie, Ken comes to realize that he needs to find out who he is before he can ever be involved romantically. In his simplicity, this moment is manifested by Ken screaming “Ken is me!” over and over again.
As ridiculous and laugh-worthy as this moment is, it also represents the final emotional catharsis for Ken’s character in the film. He and all the other Kens longed to find their place in the world, leading them to stage a massive coup and overthrow the Barbies. However, what they really wanted was to find a sense of self in Barbieland–something that was repeatedly denied for years.
3 Gloria’s Monologue
Gloria
After the Kens take over Barbieland, all hope seems lost as the Barbies fail to come up with a plan to take back their world. However, America Ferrera’s Gloria steps in with an impressive monologue detailing the struggle of being a woman in the real world, inspiring the Barbies not to let the same thing happen to Barbieland.
It may be on the nose, but Gloria’s monologue is vital to Barbie‘s core message as she inspires the Barbies to take back their world. This scene is filled with terrific lines and real-world experiences, inspiring both the Barbies and the viewers in the audience.
2 “I Want To Be A Part Of The People That Make Meaning…”
Barbie
“I want to be a part of the people that make meaning, not the thing that is made.”
Barbie’s emotional struggle comes to a head after she helps overthrow Ken’s new regime. As she comes to realize that she no longer wants to be a Barbie, she realizes what she does want: to be a creator, like the humans she met during her trip to the real-world.
Barbie’s journey of self-discovery is one of the most compelling parts of the film, as she comes to realize that she has more to offer the world than acting as the model of stereotypical beauty. Instead, Barbie seeks to add new ideas into the world as a member of the human race.
1 “Humans Only Have One Ending. Ideas Live Forever.”
Ruth Handler
In one last emotional scene between Barbie and Ruth Handler, the dollmaker offers her creation a choice between remaining a Barbie and becoming human. Already knowing what Barbie’s choice will be, Ruth warns her that, by becoming a human, Barbie will eventually die.
Ruth’s words are a more serene manifestation of Barbie’s earlier existential dread at the thought of death. Now at peace with the idea, Barbie is able to see the, while becoming a human will end in death, it will also give her the opportunity to create new ideas that will long outlive her.