On one wee summer day in 2023, Greta Gerwig clashed with Christopher Nolan and birthed one of the most redefining pop culture moments of recent times: Barbenheimer. In her pursuit of etching a moving story, her Barbie revolved around the conventional Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, and Ken played by Ryan Gosling. While immense praise and success followed the movie, a few hidden challenges came along the way.

Breaking the ice on such an important one, the Blade Runner 2049 actor revealed his perplexity in handling the role, let alone playing it to perfection.

Ryan Gosling had no clue on where to start with Ken

In more than one way, Barbie revolved as much around the titular character as it did around Ken. Remarkably, the story’s narrative would not even have lifted off its feet if not for Ken. Yet, playing the part was no easy feat. Speaking to W Magazine, Ryan Gosling opened up on the challenge of landing a first impression in the role. “There’s no one you can shadow, no documentaries you can watch, no books written about Ken,” the actor summarized.

To sail a movie at the box office to heights, such as the highest-grossing Warner Bros. movie or one by a solo female director, meant that Greta Gerwig had to bring the best out of her cast. Fortunately for the director, the talented actor finally learned how to best portray Mattel’s “70-year-old crotchless doll”. Modeling himself on his own, Gosling not only sold the role but also related himself to it, as said in previous interviews.

A closer look at the plot line for the movie would actually reveal how the movie gave Ken the best character arc.

Barbie was as much Ken’s story as Margot Robbie’s character

Breaking free from the shackles of monotony, Barbie and Ken escaped to the real world and broke the fourth wall. However, while the former shed a tear to the horrors of life around her, the other found a new way to freedom – patriarchy. Taking it back to Barbieland and transforming the pink paradise as his “Kendom”, Ryan Gosling’s character, showcased a marvelous character arc.

At the end of the movie, realizing that patriarchy as well as the general prejudice against women stood just as harmful for men, Ken lets go of his villain arc. From gaining insight into how it felt to be perceived as an accessory to discovering his inner self, the transformations defined the plot of the movie and gave meaning to the movie in its entirety.

What are your thoughts on Ryan Gosling sharing his challenges of playing Ken in Barbie? Let us know in the comments below.