Top 10 Things Only Adults Noticed in the Barbie Movie

Writer-director Greta Gerwig infused “Barbie” with an array of classic films ranging from sci-fi epics to soundstage musicals. “The Wizard of Oz” is relatively well-known to all ages but it’s less likely that Gen Z-ers caught the prologue’s homage to Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Gerwig was also influenced by French cinema, specifically Jacques Demy’s colorful “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”, even styling Barbie’s bedtime hair after Catherine Deneuve’s character. Speaking of color, there’s also the oracle-esque Weird Barbie’s pink heel vs brown Birkenstock making reference to Neo’s blue pill vs red pill from “The Matrix”. Those are just a few of the cinephile’s references which also include “Saturday Night Fever,” “The Truman Show,” and “The Shining,” another Kubrick classic.

Since Greta Gerwig was born in 1983, it makes sense that “Barbie” features cultural references from the 1980s and ‘90s. The story doesn’t take place during that time but even the smallest details spark some childhood nostalgia. The Barbie Land set alone takes us back to the days of playing pretend with our playsets and dream houses filled with tiny accessories and decals. All of the elements are plastic and the dolls mime actions like showering and eating. Kids can relate to playing with toys but through Gerwig’s millennial lens, we’re treated to specific sights and sounds, like experimenting with your Barbie’s look and blasting the Spice Girls. We’re essentially like Gloria, excitedly pointing out every familiar doll inhabiting the pink utopia.

“Barbie” features some controversial dolls from Mattel’s history, like Barbie’s bestie Midge, specifically 2002’s pregnant version which didn’t go over very well with parents. Growing Up Skipper had a short run in the 1970s that ended for obvious reasons. Allan was marketed as Ken’s buddy but if Ken wasn’t that popular on his own to begin with, his friend certainly wasn’t either. More discarded dolls inhabit Weird Barbie’s house including Video Girl Barbie, another bizarre design that was eventually discontinued. In the 1990s, Earring Magic Ken gained a reputation as the “gay” Ken for his jewelry placement and outfit. And yes, Sugar Daddy Ken was indeed a real doll with an odd gimmick of being the owner or “daddy” of a dog named Sugar.

We don’t think young audiences were in awe of the “Barbie” cast like some of the adults who recognized the cameos and connections. Chris Taylor from season five of Margot Robbie’s favorite show “Love Island” scored a brief but very cool part presenting the Nobel Prize in “Horses” to Ken. Robbie and British actress Emma Mackey have each been mistaken for the other because they look so similar – but oddly enough, not so much in this film. Mackey also shared the screen with her “Sex Education” co-stars Ncuti Gatwa and Connor Swindells, although you won’t find their show on any Netflix kid profiles. While those actors are probably unrecognizable to kiddos, Will Ferrell, AKA Buddy the Elf and Lord Business might be a little more familiar.

Toxic masculinity probably isn’t something children think or know about, so they likely saw Ken’s problematic change in personality as some weird character quirk. The sight of men riding horses and the Kens’ new brewski-beer way of life probably didn’t have quite the same comedic effect as it did for adults. Incidentally, Ken’s new wardrobe, mainly his FauxJo Mojo Mink sans shirt with an abundance of accessories, was inspired by ‘80s-era Sylvester Stallone. When the Barbies enact their takeover, their plan includes playing into the Kens’ bro mentality, giving them opportunities to mansplain things like “The Godfather”. The Kens also serenade their Barbies with Matchbox Twenty’s 1997 song “Push” which has a history of being labeled as misogynistic. How many kids picked up on all that?

Barbie’s awkward moment mid-disco gets laughs from everyone because of the record-scratch effect, but this is the first sign of her oncoming existential dread. And we doubt the vast majority of children even understand what existential means. To them, Barbie’s perfect world just becomes less perfect when her morning routine is filled with inconveniences. But the deeper issues she’s facing are about her identity, her purpose in life, and what true happiness means for her. It’s safe to say these philosophical questions and ideas are pretty out of reach for the younger audience members.

Gloria’s anxiety, loneliness, and insecurities are the catalyst to Stereotypical Barbie’s descent into Irrepressible Thoughts of Death Barbie complete with flat feet, cellulite, and morning breath. These days mental health is a much more prevalent topic and kids know they’re encouraged to express their feelings. Although they likely laughed through the commercial for Depression Barbie, we don’t expect them to fully grasp the throes of the mental disorder. However, it’s a scene that was a little too relatable for those who felt seen, especially the specificities of all-day sweatpants attire and rewatching “Pride and Prejudice”.

In interviews, Greta Gerwig credited her Catholic background as another influence on “Barbie.” Even if they’re aware of Biblical stories, kids won’t see the reverse storyline of “Adam and Eve” play out in the film. Ken was literally created as an extension or accessory to Barbie, and Gerwig cleverly connected that to the creation myth that Eve was molded from Adam. Also, when she’s in the Real World, Barbie unknowingly meets her maker Ruth Handler and shares a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that resembles Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam.” Even many adults missed out on that one!

The concepts of feminism and the patriarchy aren’t exactly taught in schools, and with the amount of times that latter term is used throughout “Barbie,” kids are bound to have questions. Under Ken’s newly-implemented patriarchal ideology in Barbie Land, the Barbies become literal maids or “helpful decorations.” But after the Barbies restore their power, they don’t go back to an entirely matriarchal way of living because this is Ken’s journey, too. After she learns more about self-empowerment Barbie encourages Ken to find himself instead of using his relationship status, possessions, or the patriarchy to define who he is. The movie’s universal message of self-acceptance and equality is feminism. And even if littles one didn’t get it, this is a good starting point for those conversations.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions

Bratz Dolls
Fans Theorize the Junior High Girls Are a Nod to the Barbie Competitor’s OG Lineup: Yasmin, Cloe, Jade, & Sasha!

Barbie’s First Gynecologist Appointment
This Moment of the Former Doll Proudly Talking About Her New Human Anatomy Is Everything!

Inclusive Casting
Kids Today Might Not Understand How Exciting It Is to See Barbies of All Shapes, Sizes, & Skin Tones on the Big Screen

Sí Se Puede!
An Unexpected Reference to Iconic 2002 DCOM “Gotta Kick It Up” Starring America Ferrera

Ruth Handler
Rhea Perlman Plays the Woman Behind Barbie & Jokes About the Mattel Co-Founder’s Financial Controversies

Barbie may be a children’s toy but, as we’ve discussed, the “Barbie” movie has a more adult narrative and it’s rated PG-13 for a reason. There’s nothing overtly sexual but quite a few innuendos and entendres make their way in, like the Kens threatening to “beach” each other off . Ken does make an awkward attempt at a girlfriend-boyfriend sleepover but even he doesn’t know what that means. Also, when Barbie goes to the Real World, she’s immediately met with catcalling. However, not all the humor is suggestive. Greta Gerwig threw in some subversive jokes about Barbie having a “Proustian memory” and a Proust Barbie appears in the background. This is a nod to, if you didn’t know, author Marcel Proust.


What adult-oriented joke made you laugh the most? Let us know in the comments.