| “ | Do you guys ever think about dying? | „ |
| ~ Barbie during Dance The Night scene. |
| “ | Yeah. Yeah. I want to be part of the people... to make meaning... not the thing that's made. I want to do the imagining. I don’t want to be the idea. Does that make sense? | „ |
| ~ Barbie choosing to become human. |
Barbara Millicent "Barbie" Roberts, also known as Stereotypical Barbie, is the titular main protagonist of the 2023 comedy drama movie of the same name.
She was portrayed by Margot Robbie, who also portrayed Harley Quinn in the DC Extended Universe and Valerie Voze/Bandenberg in Amsterdam, and voiced Flopsy Rabbit in the live-action Peter Rabbit films.
Personality[]
Stereotypical Barbie - like most Barbies in Barbieland - was simply known as Barbie, yet to no confusion. As the "stereotype," she was the purest in the sense that she is free from any later ideas or politics applied to Barbies; albeit, even the Barbies who have more depth are able to casually and happily interact with her, as too she with them.
Barbie had a thoroughly innocent personality, which crossed into being oblivious about certain elements around her, such as the unsubtle romantic affection from "Beach" Ken, and the rivalry some other Kens have for her attention, which she always interpreted as simple friendliness.
She seemed to have have a default, stock personality and then become depressed after what she went through and learned the truth of patriarchy and how unpleasant the world really is when she visited it. However she did want to become human after seeing there was more to life.
When her real-world owner, Gloria's own midlife crisis bled over into her, she began obsessing about death, even though it's something that a popular Barbie archetype like her would never experience due to remaining relevant in the market. Even so, Gloria's fear over aging and death helped inspire Barbie's odyssey into the real-world; despite her brush with mortality, she maintained a plucky and kind attitude. However, her positivity was shaken by the creepiness and toxic masculinity of real-world men cat-calling or making suggestive remarks at her. Even so, the belief that the Barbies have helped elevate girls and women in reality kept her optimistic, until it was shattered by Gloria's daughter, Sasha's exceedingly pessimistic interpretation of Barbie as a brand.
Despite her disillusionment with reality run by patriarchy, thanks to Gloria, her fellow Barbies, and even Sasha, she returned to her prior positive outlook, yet now with wisdom that helped her face the certain struggles of humanity, and how to navigate through obstacles that face real women.
Barbie was incredibly compassionate and forgiving. Ken's unrequited love and insecurity drove him to infect Barbieland with patriarchy, turning it into the Kendom until the Kens were fooled into failing their scheme and the Barbies regained control, but even so, Barbie treated Ken with kindness; while she understandably still refused his romance, she was willing to be his friend, and offered him advice to help him overcome his insecurities.
Appearance[]
As the Stereotype, Barbie was a beautiful Caucasian woman, around late 20's or early 30's. Her attire changes frequently throughout the film, but like most in Barbieland, the clothes heavily feature pink - barring the black and white striped swimsuit in the 2001: A Space Odyssey inspired opening.
Biography[]
Stereotypical Barbie lived a happy life in Barbieland. Every day, she got up, had a waffle for breakfast with some milk (or at least make believe as she doesn't need food), then hopped into her car to the beach while saying hello to all of the other Barbies and Kens, as well as Allan and Midge. At the beach, Ken would frequently try to flirt with her much like how the other Kens do with their Barbies, but no luck.
Near the end of the day, Barbie would have a girls night with the other Barbies where they would dance the night away. One night though, Barbie suddenly had thoughts of death, which briefly killed the mood of the dance. Barbie initially attempts to brush it off, but the very next day takes a turn for the worst as Barbie's usual morning routine goes awry with burnt toast, expired milk, and she doesn't stick the landing for her car. However, the worst thing that happens to her is when her feet suddenly go flat at the beach. Upon showing this to the other Barbies, they are horrified to the point of "vomiting". It is there that they tell their friend to go see Weird Barbie in hopes that she could help.
Although reluctant, Barbie obliges and shows her situation to the outcast Barbie. Upon seeing this, Barbie tells Barbie that her situation is based on how she is being played with and that she will need to go to the real world to fix it. Barbie would rather just go back to her normal life, but Barbie tells her that she has to go. Barbie eventually caves and sets off on her journey to the real world.
At the very start though, she finds that Ken opted to tag along. At first, she wanted him to go back to Barbieland out of concern he would slow her down, but she lets him come after he begs (but she refuses to let him in the front seat).
Upon arriving at the real world, Barbie notices a lot of men looking at her funny with a few even hitting on her. She feels the need to let them know that neither she nor Ken have any genitalia before she is groped, prompting her to hit the man who touched her, which gets her and Ken arrested. After being let go, Barbie realizes just how much the two of them stand out, and they get new clothes. They get arrested again, because they didn't realize they couldn't just take the clothes.
After those mishaps, Barbie and Ken set off on their journey, splitting up with Barbie going to a school while Ken examines the world. Barbie soon finds a girl named Sasha and assumes her to be her girl. However, upon introducing herself to Sasha, she is immediately shot down by the teen who calls her a fascist. Offended, Barbie breaks into tears. Unknown to her, the company behind the Barbie dolls was alerted of her presence, and the CEO orders to have Barbie put into a box.
Although Barbie goes with them at first, She soon realizes what they are doing and bolts. It is then that she is saved by Sasha's mother, Gloria. Gloria even inadvertantly reveals herself to be the girl that Barbie's problems are coming from. Realizing this, Barbie believes the best way to resolve her problem is to take Sasha and Gloria to Barbieland.
Upon returning home though, she finds her world has been twisted. Rather than the Barbies ruling, the Kens are with the Barbies now brainwashed to be housewives. Even Barbie's home has been defaced as she finds out that Ken has taken over. Ken reveals that with what he learned from the real world, he would be turning Barbieland into Kendom once the board votes on it. Broken by the situation, Barbie slumps to the ground and cries over how her life has been ruined. Gloria attempts to convince Barbie not to give up, but Barbie is convinced she is no longer Stereotypical Barbie pretty (which the film notes that having Margot Robbie play her is a bad way to make this point).
Barbie is soon brought back to the home of Weird Barbie who was working on a rebellion which mostly consists of Barbie and Ken rejects as they are having trouble finding a way to free the other Barbies from the mind control. When Gloria and Sasha hear about this, they ponder why Barbie herself isn't affected, which she figures it to be due to her exposure to the real world. Gloria agree that reality is a mess and goes on a rant of real life issues. This rant proves to be the key to breaking the mind control as Writer Barbie, who the group were currently trying to free, is now snapped out of it.
With this revelation, Barbie starts a plan to free the other Barbies, starting with President Barbie, by having the freed Barbies pretend that they are still under control of the Kens so that they can distract them. Once every Barbie has been freed, Barbie prepares the next step of her plan which is to turn the Kens against each other, which she and the other Barbies do by invoking jealousy among the Kens. With the Kens distracted, the Barbies all go to the board to put a halt to the Kendom project.
When the Kens realize they were tricked, Ken breaks into tear and admits that the whole thing wasn't actually making him happy. Seeing him in this state, Barbie admits that she should have been a better friend to Ken. After helping Ken come to terms with himself, the Barbies work on fixing up Barbieland while allowing the Kens into a slightly higher bit of power in an effort to improve balance between them.
Barbie, however, feels that after everything she went through, she can't truly be Barbie anymore. It is then that the spirit of Ruth Handler appears to her and assures her that there is no such thing as the perfect Barbie. Nevertheless, she honors Barbie's decision to become a real woman.
Now back in the real world, Barbie now is a real human and goes by the name of Barbara Handler. She is dropped off by Gloria and her new family for her very first... Gynecologist.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- When Barbie becomes depressed and no longer sees herself as Pretty, the narrator breaks the fourth wall by saying that Margot Robbie was the wrong choice for the role, although this was for comedic effect.
- Since becoming human, she prefers to wear sandals instead of high heels.
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Principal characters Barbie and the Rockers My Scene Generation Girl Barbie books and comics Barbie in the Nutcracker Kelly Dream Club Barbie as Rapunzel Barbie of Swan Lake Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper Barbie: Fairytopia Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus The Barbie Diaries Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses Barbie as The Island Princess Barbie: Mariposa Barbie & the Diamond Castle Barbie in A Christmas Carol Barbie: Thumbelina Barbie and The Three Musketeers Barbie in A Mermaid Tale Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale Barbie: A Fairy Secret Barbie: Princess Charm School Barbie: A Perfect Christmas Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar Barbie in the Pink Shoes Barbie: Mariposa & the Fairy Princess Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale Barbie: The Pearl Princess Barbie and the Secret Door Barbie in Princess Power Barbie in Rock 'N Royals Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure Barbie: Spy Squad Barbie: Starlight Adventure Barbie & Her Sisters in A Puppy Chase Barbie: Video Game Hero Barbie: Dolphin Magic Barbie: Princess Adventure Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams Barbie: Dreamtopia Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse Barbie: It Takes Two Barbie: Mermaid Power Barbie: Epic Road Trip Barbie: Skipper and the Big Babysitting Adventure Barbie (2023) Barbie: A Touch of Magic Barbie and Stacie to the Rescue | ||