Barbie is leaving her cotton candy pink Barbie world and entering the real world in the latest trailer for the live-action Barbie movie.
Barbie’s (Margot Robbie) life is pretty perfect – she has great clothes, a charming Ken (Ryan Gosling) at her side, lots of friends, and a sweet house. But things start to glitch, like Barbie’s heel going flat, rather than arched and ready for a high heel. In the hope of fixing this and other issues, Barbie and Ken head to the real world where they are culture shocked by the differences they find.
The tongue in cheek movie appears to be poking fun at Barbie tropes while also being reverent of the iconic doll’s pop culture significance. Near the end of the trailer, Barbie sits next to an older woman on a bench while a voiceover credited to the character “Ruth” says “Humans only have one ending. Ideas live forever.” The Barbie doll was created by Ruth Handler, suggesting that the woman on the bench is meant to portray the doll’s creator. A rumor is circulating that the woman is portrayed by Handler’s daughter and Barbie’s namesake, Barbara Handler, and that Rhea Perlman (who is in the movie, but her character name is currently not credited) is providing the voice over.
Barbie is directed by Gerta Gerwig (Little Women). Actresses playing other versions of Barbie include Nicola Coughlan, Emma Mackey, Hari Nef, Ritu Arya, Dua Lipa, Alexandra Shipp, and Kate McKinnon. Other Kens include Simu Liu and John Cena. The all-star cast also includes Helen Mirren, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, and Michael Cera.
Barbie arrives in theaters on July 21, 2023.