This review contains spoilers.

When was the last time a major IP blockbuster was this overhyped? Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)? The Simpsons Movie (2007)? Written and directed by indie darling Greta Gerwig (co-written with her husband Noah Baumbach), Barbie (2023) is ostensibly targeting an audience of young mothers and daughters, but has so much more to offer than just a 2-hour advert for Mattel’s most iconic product.

The surprise reveal is that this movie isn’t really about Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling). Our heroines are in fact a bored and unrecognised Mattel employee called Gloria (America Ferrera), and her too-cool-for-school, disenfranchised tween daughter Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt). When an over-excited Ken introduces a ridiculous horse-and-brewksi-themed patriarchy to Barbieland, only Gloria has the real world experience to give voice to the infuriating cognitive dissonance that typifies the existence of western women.

The film’s number one strength is its eye-popping production design (Sarah Greenwood) and set decoration (Katie Spencer). Absolutely everything, down to the motionless waves, is plastic, leading to some hilarious and well-observed jokes about how Barbie and Ken interact with their environment.

There is probably too much brooding philosophy and spirituality – isn’t this supposed to be a fun, summer blockbuster about a pink, plastic doll? But however much the film hits you over the head with its feminist politics, this film offers the perfect ‘introduction to patriarchy’, kicking off discussions about womanhood between mothers and daughters all over the world.

Playing at cinemas across US and UK from 21 July 2023.