I felt completely seen in this tiny scene in the ‘Barbie’ movie

Photo Credit: Warner Bros

CAUTION: As usual, spoiler alerts below.

Without needing an introduction, the “Barbie” movie has been the film of the 2023 summer. From creating a pink paint storage to creating some strong commentary on feminism, this movie has been the talk of the last few months. While there are plenty of articles on the easter eggs and discussion on the message of the movie, I have yet to see this subtle scene in the movie.

In a blink and you will miss it moment, there is one scene in the “Barbie” movie that resonated with me in a subtle but powerful way. In Stereotypical Barbie’s (Margot Robie) first real-world experience without Ken, she ventured to Davey Crockett Junior High School in search of Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), the girl from her memories. As she was about to approach the lunch table where Sasha and three other friends sat, another student stopped and warned her to avoid Sasha at all costs. Barbie, in her Barbie-land naiveté did not heed their advice and approached the group of four girls.

As Barbie approached the table, she was met with death glares of apathy and disinterest that would resonate with anyone who had a) interacted with a teenage girl or b) been a teenage girl. It was obvious that Sasha was the ringleader of this mean girl table. Though, she would later redeem herself as the daughter of Gloria (America Ferrera) and we completely forget about this interaction altogether. In this moment, however, the scene was clearly to send a message to Barbie about some of the criticisms she had faced over the decades and burst her “Barbieland” bubble.

While that moment was important for Barbie herself, I felt uncomfortably seen by the way that the three mean girls treated one of their own. All of the other girls immediately dismissed Stereotypical Barbie and her bubbliness with the exception of the Asian teen on the right of the screen. At one point, she spoke up and said “I actually liked Barbie,” only to be met with the same death glare before rejecting her initial comment in favor of the majority.

“Sometimes I found myself in scenarios surrounded by people just like Sasha and her crew. I would deny parts of myself (the quirky or embarrassing parts) for sake of an image or feeling included.”

For most viewers, this moment served as a small punchline followed by a chortle or even a strong nasal snort. For me, it meant more. The fact that it was the Asian teen who spoke up and then was quickly put in her place, was a strong reality that I had felt at that same time and even into adulthood.  Sometimes I found myself in scenarios surrounded by people just like Sasha and her crew. I would deny parts of myself (the quirky or embarrassing parts) for sake of an image or feeling included. And yet, I would still be a punchline for a joke when those moments of revealing my true self came out.

 So while many people may have thought nothing of this interaction other than as a comment, I was truly touched by how much I identified with this non-named character. I felt sad for my teenage self, in shoes similar to this girl and for my adult self when I find myself in those situations. Now, however, I am starting to find my own voice and unapologetically find my passions even if it is uncool.

If there is anything we can learn from this movie, it is the common thread to be your version of Weird Barbie.