At first glance, Barbie seemed like it would be light comedy, a kitschy parade of colors and clichés. But Greta Gerwig delivers something far more interesting. The film tries to be many things at once: satire, pop fairy tale, musical, feminist reflection, even a technicolor group therapy session. It doesn’t always succeed, but when it does, it leaves a mark. Margot Robbie shines with a mix of innocence and awareness, playing a doll who begins to ask uncomfortable questions about the world around her. Ryan Gosling, meanwhile, steals every scene as a Ken stuck between inflated ego and awkward tenderness. Their chemistry holds together even the wildest parts of the script. What’s most surprising is how the film shifts from absurd humor to deep commentary without warning. There’s one scene—if you’ve seen it, you know—which hits hard for both what it says and how it says it. The message can feel repetitive at times, but it’s refreshing to see it spoken with courage and clarity. Not everything works. Some parts feel forced, others too obvious. But this is the kind of movie that sticks with you, sparks conversation, and doesn’t vanish after the credits roll. And these days, that’s already a win. Gerwig plays with fire, and though she doesn’t always control the flame, she’s made Barbie part of the cultural conversation again—for reasons very different than before.