It seems that life in plastic is indeed fantastic.
Just two weeks after its global debut, Barbie has surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, with director Greta Gerwig breaking a record for female directors.
It truly is Barbie’s world, and we’re just living in it. Which is why watching it once (or twice) in theatres is not kenough – we want to be able to experience it from home too.
So, here’s everything you need to know about 2023’s most exciting film, Barbie, including where you can stream it now.
What is the plot of Barbie?
Set in the idyllic Barbie Land, the plot follows Barbie as she undergoes a sort of identity crisis after suffering from outside influences – a clear indication when her feet go from tip-toed to flat.
She then leaves Barbie Land—with Ken (Ryan Gosling) in tow—in pursuit of answers in the real world. Here, she must face being a fish out of water and also escape the clutches of the corporate villains at Mattel (lead by Will Ferrell), who want her to stay put in Barbie Land.
According to Robbie, the plot will surprise and delight those who are yet to watch it. In 2020, she told The Hollywood Reporter, “Whatever you’re thinking, we’re going to give you something totally different — the thing you didn’t know you wanted. Can we truly honour the IP [intellectual property] and the fan base and also surprise people? Because if we can do all that and provoke a thoughtful conversation, then we’re really firing on all cylinders.”
Gerwig co-wrote the script with her partner Noah Baumbach, with Gosling calling it “the best script I’ve ever read”.
In addition to taking on the lead title, Robbie also signed on to co-produce the film alongside husband Tom Ackerley under their Lucky Chap production company.
“When I was trying to make my name as an actress, creative roles for women were limited,” she told Harper’s BAZAAR in 2018. “I didn’t want to pick up another script where I was the wife or the girlfriend—just a catalyst for the male story line. It was uninspiring.”
Who’s cast in Barbie?
The film arguably has one of the most start-studded casts of recent times. Aside from Robbie as the OG Barbie, the film also introduces several other Barbie iterations, including a president Barbie (Issa Rae), a gymnast Barbie (Kate McKinnon), a mermaid Barbie (Dua Lipa), a physicist Barbie (Emma Mackey), a journalist Barbie (Ritu Arya), a lawyer Barbie (Sharon Rooney), a doctor Barbie (Hari Nef), and a judge Barbie (Cruz Kayne).
Moving onto the Kens, Ryan Gosling is joined by Ncuti Gatwa, Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir—though what differentiates each Ken is still unknown.
We are also introduced to several ‘human’ characters, played by Will Ferrell (as the CEO of Mattell), Ariana Greenblatt, America Ferrera, Connor Swindells, and Jamie Demetriou, and narrated by none other than Helen Mirren.
Despite Robbie no doubt looking the part, she apparently wasn’t the first choice to play the blonde doll. Comedian Amy Schumer was previously part of the line-up, along with Anne Hathaway, before dropping out of the project in 2017.
When is Barbie being released in Australia?
The film was released in Australian cinemas on July 20, 2023 – marking the first time Barbie has been brought to the big screen outside the realm of animation.
As for where you can stream it, you can buy or rent it now online on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Once Barbie’s theatrical run is over, it’s also expected to be released on BINGE and Foxtel Now in Australia. An official streaming date is yet to be announced but we suspect it will happen over the next few months.
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