“Barbie” was not only the biggest blockbuster of the summer, it also had a big impact on girls who watched it, including Rio students. Directed by Sacramento native Greta Gerwig, the movie’s feminist roots gave young women a new perspective on how they lead their lives. 

In Barbie land, women run the world and are respected by their male counterparts, the Kens. But when Barbie ventures into the real world, she experiences a series of sexist remarks, consequences of the patriarchy, and even gets sexually assaulted.

 After Ken’s newfound discovery of a patriarchal society, Barbie land goes to mayhem as the kens take control, suddenly treating women like property. Through the power of not only Barbies, but also women from the outside world, they together dismantle the destructive society that their home turned into. 

When sophomore Mapalo Kateule went to see “Barbie” with her older sister and her friends this summer, she had high expectations because she had enjoyed playing with her Barbie dolls when she was younger. The movie did not disappoint as entertainment, but it also gave her new insight on challenges that women face.

“It made me look at the expectations of women and how it’s set on at an early age,” Katuele said. “The mom in this movie appeared to have everything together but internally she was struggling, just like many other women.” 

After facing criticism from concerned mothers about the negative impact that the size 0 doll was having on their young daughters, it was time for a change in direction. Mattel’s plot choices with “Barbie,” displaying that women are not only their faces and bodies, but are just as brave and courageous as men, were widely appreciated. 

“Even though the Barbie doll was supposed to have a positive impact on girls, it set unrealistic expectations,” Katuele said. “A lot of girls that were playing with these dolls do not and will never look exactly like the toy.”

Giving women a voice against sexism and the patriarchy allowed for a change in perspective for a wide variety of people.

“The movie went against this direction because the Barbies had feelings that were more relatable to women and people in general,” Kateule said. “I believe that the Barbie movie sheds light on the everyday struggle of women under the male gaze.” 

“Barbie” has reached a mass of women young and old sharing the message that women are kind, brave and beautiful.