“Barbie”, the iconic children’s toy that has been around for decades, has been rebranded to fit today’s ideologies in a contemporary cinematic adventure; ‘Barbie’ the movie. American film director, Greta Gerwig brought the beloved doll to life in a way that encapsulates nostalgia as well as being modernised to appeal to our current society, delivering an empowering narrative for audiences of all ages.

One of the most notable modernisations in the Barbie movie is the embrace of diversity and inclusion. The director, Greta Gerwig deliberately features a vibrant cast of characters from various backgrounds, celebrating differences and acting as representation to young girls across the globe. The director confirms in an interview with UPWORTHY; “It most certainly is a feminist film […] But it’s feminist in a way that includes everyone; it’s a ‘rising tide lifts all boats’ version of it.” This decision aligns with the increasing demand for more inclusive storytelling in children’s entertainment, providing a more realistic reflection of the world that children inhabit.

The modernised Barbie is also depicted as technologically aware as the film incorporates elements of technology, reflecting our current society’s presence of technology and digital platforms in the lives of modern children. When Barbie goes to the real world, she is faced with a world that is new to her, where technology remains rampant. This subtle nod to the digital age ensures that Barbie remains relevant and relatable to the newer generation, considering they are the film’s target audience. 

Barbie has historically been associated with female stereotypes and has often been depicted in roles that reinforce traditional gender norms, for example stereotypical Barbie lives in a pink dreamhouse with no job, goes to parties every day and her main purpose is to simply ‘look pretty’. Throughout the film, Gerwig attempts to encourage positive self-image for young girls as well as celebrating women’s accomplishments. With majority of the cast being female, this further reinforces modern feminism to ‘Barbie’s young and impressionable audience.