Toxic Masculinity Represented by Ryan Gosling’s Ken in the Barbie (2023)

Abstract

The Barbie (2023) movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, prominently includes Ken, portrayed by Ryan Gosling, as a significant narrative component. In this short, Ken demonstrates many actions indicative of toxic masculinity. This study seeks to examine the depiction of toxic masculinity in the character Ken using John Fiske's semiotic theory, employing three analytical tiers: the level of actuality, the representative level, and the ideological level. The study technique is qualitative, using an interpretative paradigm to discern the underlying meanings of Ken's conduct and discussion that illustrate symptoms of toxic masculinity. The research reveals that Ken's physical appearance and behaviour exemplify masculine stereotypes, including dominance and aggression, as seen by his attire, body posture, and interactions with other characters. Ken is shown as a figure seeking attention and power, often at the expense of himself and others. This study demonstrates that the character Ken embodies societal perceptions of the expectation for males to assert dominance, resulting in discontent and identity issues. This study concludes that the Barbie (2023) movie challenges toxic masculinity via the character Ken, demonstrating that this paradigm is detrimental to both men and women and advocates for freedom from restrictive and damaging norms of masculinity. This movie critiques toxic masculinity satirically, facilitating additional discourse on the formation and perception of masculinity in society.