the idea of going "how dare they say this word so many times" and then in the next sentence going "i have no clue what it means" is so funny

Sometimes I manage to go a while without remembering that Ben Shapiro exists

As a male nurse I despise Meet the Parents for its running gag where Ben Stillers character is ridiculed for having a female job.

But what if we tried a system where the power is not held by men or women, but by horses? I think The Barbie Movie really should have explored that idea. I, for one, welcome our new horse overlords. The Neightriarchy, if you will.

Truly incredible how a movie that says "what if . . . we could solve the patriarchy . . . by making men feel more valued?" set so many conservatives a-froth.

Babe wake up Pop Culture Detective dropped a new video recontextualizing popular media under a feminist lens in a way that fascinates and educates me!

If the writers hated Ken so much, why did they give him THE GREATEST MUSICAL PIECE of our generation?

I found it a bit of a lost opportunity to not have Ken also face harassment when Barbie and him go into the world in their 80s rollerblade outfits. The harassment women usually get is explicity s-xual with an undertone of violence. But as a gay man, I find the harassment I face to be a mirror image: I get threatened with explicit violence with an undertone of s-xual insecurity. It perhaps could have shown another reason why Ken was so motivated to conform to toxic ideas of what masculinity is

One thing that amused me during the film is to see the link made between horses and masculinity, while in France (can’t talk for the rest of Europe) horses are strongly associated with women. Shows how all of this is not a grand order, but just cultural.

I love that Ken was only interested in patriarchy when he thought that it involved horses. They're actually a matriarchal animal.

We can see how Alan, a feminine man, was largely excluded and made the butt of the joke even in Barbie society. I think his role is really hurting the point of why it is patriarchy that hurts men into having to be masculine

Gerwig did say movies like barbie are simultaneously criticized for doing too much yet not enough at the same time, which... did happen too. Like you said, PCD, i felt like the movie was too kind to Ken after he hurt Barbie. He literally destroyed and stole her home yet Barbie apologizes to him! It frustrates me but i think it was left in as another example of even when men deliberately hurt women because theyre hurting women still have more empathy to see the other perspective and apologize and try to coexist better, yet men are rarely ever held to that empathetic standard in turn

I loved the way the Kens healed their dispute and came together was through an interpretive ballet dance, something often derided for being 'not manly and too feminine'. Through shedding these manly expectations and pressures they come together and are able to support each other

Piers Morgan snapping his fingers and everything turns pink is an amount of power that all gays deserve.

I appreciate how your essays point out some of the biggest systemic blind spots in popular media and culture, without shaming anyone on any side of the matter. Zero finger-pointing, guilt-tripping, or blame-throwing. Not at we the viewers, nor at anyone who participated in making or distributing media that has harmful elements in it. Thank you so much for all your hard work and attention to detail!

UPDATE: We won! After we submitted our fair use argument in an appeal to the Warner Bros takedown, they backed down and this video essay will stay online! Warner Bros had blocked the video worldwide over 19 seconds of Ken trying to surf even though it's clearly fair use commentary with voiceover. Please support this channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/popdetective

I think there's a pervasive misunderstanding of this film that the Barbie world is "meant" to be a utopia. But the rivalry between the Kens, and the very fact that Kens don't have a place in Barbieland except as a Barbie accessory, is meant to depict the fundamental injustice of inequality in any world, not just a patriarchal one. Of course, I say "meant," but it's always dicey to presume the intent of the writer. That's just what I took away from it. But I feel pretty confident in saying that Ken's insecurity in his place in the world was ultimately generated by the Barbie World, just as women's insecurity in their place in the real world is generated by patriarchy. Barbieland may not be a patriarchy, but it has the same problems. And I think it was clever of the film not to resolve this, even after acknowledging it. In the end, there will still be no Kens on the supreme court, let alone the Whitehouse (Pinkhouse?). It's considered progress even to let a second-class citizen like Weird Barbie have a place in the power structure. But Helen Mirren makes the final comment on this, saying that someday, hopefully, Kens will have as many rights as women do in the real world. So long as there's inequality in the real world, it will have its symmetrical mirror in Barbieland. I also think there's something important about the use of the Kens' irrational jealousies against them. Ultimately, empires tend to destroy themselves in exactly this way, for the very reason that patriarchy still doesn't make Ken happy, and of course, once he's conquered the Barbies, he has to project the cause of his unhappiness on someone else, because he's still not ready to accept that it's his own identity that's causing it. As a means of overthrowing the Kens, perhaps starting a war isn't the way. But turning bullies on one another has a way of weakening their power. I don't think it was a bad story choice. Just one man's opinion.

Whar if Ken borrowed a bell hooks book at the library

Completely off topic, but with the second and third trait of the patriarchy, my mind went to one of my favorite movies, the devil wears prada. It's a heavy and interesting theme in the movie that Miranda was a woman of power, only able to gain the upper hand by qualities that are often considered masculine. Emotionless presenting, tough decisions. But the film interprets her as a villian, even though the protagonist herself stated if the roles were reversed, no one would have a problem. I think its important to realize the harm of this ideal for both men and women.

I found Barbie to be a simply cathartic movie when it came to woman’s issues but the bench scene with the old lady made me cry. I can’t fully explain it but there was something there with the idea of one woman just genuinely speaking to another, a stranger, and just calling them beautiful for no other reason than to just simply do so. That’s what it means to be a woman, or any minority really. The support and care from those within your group is some of the most important acts one can do and receive and it’s what lets us survive a world that puts us down at any turn.

this vidoe is so good, im so happy with the part where he talks about how movies portray male protags as just normal human stories, while female protags are 'a female based story that deals with female issues' and not just this is a human with a cool story, fuuuck me im so happy someone said it XD

It's crazy how often you hear certain buzzwords thrown around seemingly everywhere and nobody actually knows what they even mean.

Great video. Well thought out and presented. Unfortunately I recognized some of those particularly toxic traits in my own behavior. I guess that is why we have these discussions, so we can learn from them and better ourselves.

So when one man does something really bad, no matter how bad, it's "not all men." But if one movie portrays one man not in a perfect light, but as a complex human being, suddenly it's, "This movie is against ALL MEN!" from these same people?

I don’t think most people really think about this stuff or are even really aware of it. A majority of both men and women buy into a lot of patriarchal values just because that’s what they grew up around. They aren’t consciously aware they are doing it, and believe it earnestly. They’re not just doing it because they feel they have to or to gain power, but because they truly believe it is what’s right. I think this is one of the biggest challenges with these kinds of issues that isn’t talked about enough. The focus is always on the well-informed on each side, having this epic cultural or intellectual battle, but to most, there is no battle. Even if you’re a woman and a feminist, it is likely you hold patriarchal biases that harm both men and women that you’re not even aware of. I think this kind of cultural baggage creates an immense inertia that resists change.

I thought the Barbie movie was a great example of why people need to work together as equals to keep a well balanced society

Ken discovering that his purpose isn't Barbie, and he's enough is some of the most empovering things I've seen in films. Men are burdened with societal expectations and pressures, and many give up and become toxic and begin ridiculing others. While some finally understand that its not society that matters, but what they believe themselves.

PCD posting is like seeing a shooting star

AND WHEN THE WORLD NEEDED HIM THE MOST...HE RETURNED!

Really good video, I love that it doesn't paint this movie as perfect in the portrayal of the patriarchy because it certainly isn't, but it presents a nuanced analysis of how it was portrayed. This channel is truly a gem, I've been a subscriber for years now and I'm glad you keep creating this videos.

I don’t think the patriarchy-performing Kens would listen to Alan, as they still see him as Other, so Alan wouldn’t be able to convince them to stop.

So Barbie knows what fascism is, does that mean Mussolini was a Ken doll?

Honestly, the breakdown of patriarchy in the beginning of the video is so good I wanna send this to people just to explain patriarchy to them. Excellent video as always!

honestly, seriously, the most eye-opening realizations i have had about my masculinity has come from this channel. it began with _The Fantastic Masculinity of Newt Scamander_ and has continued with _Patriarchy According to The Barbie Movie._ of all of the professional and personal help i have enlisted has not been able to explain this to me in this way, maybe i wasn’t ready any other way. *Thank you so much for interrogating these things* along with all of your culture sleuthing.

I like how the Barbie Movie calls out "the sisterhood" and how women are toxic to each other as well.

Ha!! Saw this video, screamed, looked at it again, saw it was 30 freaking minutes, screamed again, then clicked on it. You don't understand the depth of my love for these people and their well-made analyses and discussions of sociological concepts ❤❤

9:22 this this oh this. It is never impossible for women to gain power in a patriarchy, but they will be subject to the same standards, and more often than not exercise the same power dynamic they promised to steer clear from. Case in point, the Girlboss.

Thank you for saying the movie was a bit TOO sympathetic to Ken. I asked myself in the theater - why is SHE apologizing to HIM? By making it seem like Barbie did something mean to him first, I felt the movie made the patriarchy thing Barbie's fault, not Ken's. I also agree that the metaphors got a bit mixed - I wasn't sure by the end what behavior was meant to stand for what. I'd love to hear more from you in a general movie analysis!

Thank you for making a video that optimizes being as short as possible and also as well done as possible.

It’s funny you had a clip from Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken because in that movie the women are the only ones who can turn into giant kraken, are in total authority and none of the men or boys have any issue with it whatsoever. Ruby’s dad and Uncle Brill even embody the compassion and emotional support that patriarchy detests men having

Just wanted to point out as well that while it is easily misconstrued, the interpretation of the Kens being pitted against each other to vy for the Barbie's attention + the Barbie's plans to pit them against each other in the end to "let them tear each other down" can also work as an allegory for how women are pitted against one another to rise up in the world of patriarchy as well! :) I feel like the western world has a better grip on a "girl's girl" culture currently to combat this, but I would like to remind you that in some places, it's still pretty cutthroat out there 🥹 **looks pointedly at Asia and its unrealistic body standards for women** 😒😑😑 (For context, I'm a women in Asia that isn't petite, slim and pale)

It still annoys me how the movie stopped short of showing an actual equal society at the end. They left all the systems in place that caused the Kens to feel so alienated in the first place

You know you live in a patriarchal society when the Barbie movie is 90% about Ken. She's just a bystander on her own movie. If that's a feminist film we still have a loooong way to go

If Ken wanted a world of guys and horses, he should have watched Brokeback Mountain. And maybe find a western-themed gay bar.

BTW Patreon supporters can watch a much longer supercut of right-wingers freaking out about Barbie, and another longer supercut of fictional characters saying the word patriarchy. They are pretty funny montages. I will upload them to KZfaq or somewhere for everyone at some point but for now they are here: www.patreon.com/popdetective

I was always kind of confused by the big third act plan. They go around to all the Barbies and deprogram them, but they’ve got an entirely different plan for all the Kens. It reads like “when a woman participates in patriarchy it’s because she’s been brainwashed into it, but when a man does, it’s just because it’s in his nature.” There’s a distinct ding effect when a Barbie is deprogrammed but I don’t remember any Ken getting that. So it reads like it’s just something they were always ready and eager to do and not because they too were brainwashed into doing something that hurts themselves because they had no experiences to prepare them to resist it, just like the Barbies. Both the Barbies and Kens were hurt in Kendomland, brainwashed by an idea brought by Ken from our world, but only the Kens seem to be held culpable. And what appears to be a belief in an inherent personality/behavioral/psychological difference between men and women doesn’t read as especially feminist to me.

12:47 The worst part is, at the same time that society put those films into a “female experience story”, they blame the film itself for “putting women in a different box than men” as if we wanted to be seen as unequal.

Your videos are always the most thought-provoking, profound and moving videos on this site, and I always try to recommend them to friends. Please keep doing what you are doing, and spreading the amazing messages within your videos. Keep up the good work!

babe wake up pop culture detective just dropped a barbie video

Omg I’ve been waiting on a new upload! Thank you for this. 😊

The vanity fair polygraph thing is extra upsetting cause like... polygraphs are just a measure of how nervous you are answering questions. Like, with the way that interview was conducted, of course the graph was going to go crazy when she answered that question, no matter what her thoughts were, it was just a cheap gotcha

Dude, I ADORE your videos. Your viewpoint is always so clear and to the point. I greatly enjoy learning from you. :)

Love that you had to introduce your video with a caveat that "THIS IS NOT GENDER STUDIES IN FILM 4020 THIS IS SOCIOLOGY 1010 and some people need to start here"

19:50 I'd argue there is a derogatory term like that - "wifebeater" - but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a term like that used in a comedy.

Welcome back! So glad you’re able to keep the video up and share analysis!

I interpreted that the reason Ken fell into patriarchy the way that he did was because he was basing his feeling of self worth on his ability to “have Barbie”. He saw patriarchy as validating that he should get Barbie just because he was Ken.

Well done! One note, when Alan confronted construction workers, the reality would have been him being murdered. Confrontation in those moments usually makes things worse for everyone.

THANK YOU FOR THE LABOR YOU PUT INTO THIS VIDEO AND ALL OF YOUR CONTENT

It's been so long! Glad to see another well researched and well thought out video. Kudos to you and your team.

You are such a thoughtful creator! I have appreciated you since Born Sexy Yesterday and have cited your work in my GSWS! Thank you

I still feel it’s so incredibly unfortunate that Barbie was used as the vehicle for this message. Ken, as a default secondary and entirely inferior product is legitimately trapped in a Matriarchy. It naturally gives all the sympathy to Ken. 95% of viewers of the movie did not get the message the movie wished to convey.

i love your content so much i watched this on the internet archive while it was down but so glad to see it's back on youtube too

So glad you were able to put this one back up! It's a great one!

Fastest things in the universe, 1. the speed of light, 2. Me clicking a new pop culture detective video

Dude, that was incredible! Makes me want to watch the movie again

The most beautiful part of Barbie, is that Ken doesn't get his comeuppance by being beaten down, but by being enlightened that he's his own person, a person who can love himself for who he is, without the need to be affirmed by "things" such as a job, a woman etc.

I absolutely loved this video. Very insightful and important work you did here and I'm glad you got to re-upload it. Everyone should watch this.

Top notch stuff as always. I definitely have mixed feelings about how Barbie approaches feminism and patriarchy (and they're ultimately problems that are a result of the conditions it was created under), but I think this did a great job exploring and expanding upon those core themes. The only thing I'll say is that I don't think right-wing resistance to this film was because of how it challenged patriarchal ideas, I think it's just because in many a conservative mind everything they consider a buzzword means the context can be ignored and what is being said is dangerous or worthless.

Really excited for that Heroic Death video. That's always been an aggravating trope for me

Something I've learned is that the importance of control in a relationship evaporates when you ensure that your relationships are founded on mutual interests and respect. That way, when a spouse, friend, or family member asks you to do something, you don't do it because you "have to", you do it because you want to.

This was really clearly and succinctly explained, and really well paced and edited; thank you for fighting to keep it up and accessible for people! You managed to put into words many of the thoughts I had after watching the film - I felt frustrated by the mixed messages, but didn't articulate this clearly. I know there was a heck of a lot to cover, but it would be interesting to have a part two or companion video to this talking about all the ways the Barbies re-enforce patriarchal values as women, and how deeply rooted this is in the real world - women are entrenched into a way of thinking about themselves that is very patriarchal and reductionist. Thanks again for the time and effort you took to make this!

Another eloquent and well-thought-out masterpiece... Thank you very much, I will send this video to a few people to help them understand what patriarchy is.

My only complaint for this video essay is that it was only 33 minutes. Thanks for your superb work!

Glad you managed to get the video back up. Love your work. Keep it up!

Happy to see this great video back up

It's always a good day whenever pop culture detective uploads

Might just be me, but feels like we've been waiting for the colonialism in board games video for years. Don't get me wrong though, definitely appreciate how much work / research is clearly going into it. The video about redemption through death for male characters sounds really interesting too.

then why didn't they split the supreme court seats 6\6 at the end of the movie?

this is one of those videos you can watch multiple times and be entertained every time

so glad you’re back and I’m so excited for all the future projects to you mentioned!!! amazing as always

NEVER BEEN THIS EXCITED FOR A VIDEO ESSAY UPLOAD OMG

Me: Huh that was a fun movie Ben Shapeepoo: *angry growling wolf noises*

These videos have been really impactful for me. It can be hard at times to make sense of all broad and daunting issues that affect our lives when they encompass so much of the society we live in, but having videos like this to help put a voice to those thoughts. Thank you and please keep up the good work!

I'm a proud patreon supporter. You could do a single video a year and it would be well worth the price. The content you make is important

Always a joy when there's a new pop culture detective video ❤️ Can't wait to watch this tomorrow

Sometimes I wish you would upload more often, but then every time that you do I get why you take your time: Its always immaculate in structure, message, visuals, examples and it always amazes me how so many phrases just hit the nail on the head! Thank you for these videos!!

Ken seeking validation through Barbie is not gender flipped at all. It is considered one of the more toxic traits of patriarchy not only that women are seen as conquests, but as a man's only source of emotional validation. Men are conditioned to never be emotional, and the only safe outlet they have for their normal human feelings is a girlfriend or wife. It's one of the reasons men will become increasingly violent after break ups. They might still have all the status symbols, but they've lost their only source of human worth, and they feel foolish for having been emotionally vulnerable at all. Edit: You do go on to say all of this, but maybe not make that connection.

very excited for the videos in the works! i happened to be reading the will to change when barbie came out and found them to be exceptionally well paired

been waiting for a video from you on this movie

We needed this video so Bad! Thank you!

Thank you for making videos like these. I can only hope it shows up in the feed of those who (willfully or other wise) didn’t get it.

was just checking your channel for a new video since i’ve been rewatching everything! so cool!!

You are my favourite video essay-er!! I was so excited when i saw this video pop up on my feed and it was fantastic

The way I saw Barbie Land was as a "feminist " utopia, but created from the mind of men perpetuating/living under patriarchy. Therefore, the characters in Barbie Land are still living under patriarchy, but a flipped, feminine version of patriarchy, where women fill the roles men usually fill in patriarchy, but are still products of a patriarchal system.

This is a gorgeous video essay. Such a brilliant explanation of how sexism plays out structurally, culturally and interpersonally. And how patriarchal ideas don’t benefit men or women. Love your mention of intersectionality. I teared up at the end when you mentioned how important solidarity is between men and women as a way to end sexism and how men should challenge other men on sexism. Your editing is so seamless. I love transitions like 10:36, where you pan up to the sky to cut to the old space clip, and like 12:08, where you fade from Barbie’s face to Oppenheimer. Or the transition at 18:34. You have such a good match of visuals to the voiceover. You use such a breadth of examples; it’s very visually appealing. And I love your supercuts of the use of the word patriarchy in media and the news. Your video has excellent pacing - your cutting to diegetic clips between voiceovers helps process what was just said. Your script is very concise and well-explained and shows a lot of research and care. I love your use of sound and music. And love your cat Madame Curie's cameo in the end! Liked, am already subscribed and commenting to boost you on the dreaded KZfaq algorithm! Also retweeting your vid, I want as many people to see this. Thanks so much for your hard work! This would've taken so long to make

Welcome back! Love your content ❤❤❤❤

Thank you so much for posting. I love every video you’ve made.

finally you update！！ Love your video as always ❤❤

always excited when you post new videos!! VERY excited for that upcoming one about death as redemption...

WELCOME BACK KING!!! ❤