In the wake of critical remarks from Ben Shapiro and Bill Maher, Joe Rogan has taken up the mantle of defending Greta Gerwig’s creative project, Barbie, which has already achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing $1 billion in global box office earnings.
In an unusual move, the controversial host of podcasts has inserted himself into the ongoing discourse surrounding the film, a move that has garnered him recognition as a voice of rationality by some admirers of the cinematic work.
Although the reception of Barbie has been predominantly favorable, the film has not remained untouched by dissenting voices. Figures like Ben Shapiro, known for his right-wing stances, and Bill Maher, the host of Real Time, have vocally expressed their strong reservations about the movie.
Joe Rogan has chosen to address this dissent within the context of a new interview conducted on his podcast alongside Post Malone, as The New York Post reported. Despite his historical tendency to hold unconventional viewpoints, Rogan unequivocally aligns himself with the prevailing sentiment in this instance. He asserts that Barbie is a “light-hearted, whimsical movie” that he perceives as harmless.
Joe Rogan Defends Barbie Movie Amid ‘Anti-Man’ Criticism
In Rogan’s words, “A lot of people are upset about the Barbie movie, and I left perplexed… [It’s a] fun, silly movie about dolls who come to life, arguing that the film’s feminist themes don’t affect Barbie negatively. “But a lot of it is about the patriarchy, and it’s a comedy, it’s a comedy about dolls. People are upset that it’s this progressive metaphor for life that they’re pushing progressive politics in this, and I’m like, ‘It’s a fu—— doll movie!’ It’s a doll movie. It’s a fun movie about dolls who come to life and try to interact with the real world.”
He maintains that the feminist undertones woven into the narrative do not harm Barbie’s essence. Rogan counters the contention that the movie has a progressive agenda, reminding critics that it remains a film about animated dolls. He questions the rationality of outrage over the supposed infusion of progressive politics into what is essentially a playful narrative.
In his signature manner, Rogan commends the film for its innovative nature, emphasizing its uniqueness within the cinematic landscape. “This movie breaks new ground,” he comments. “No one’s ever done a movie like this before. This is not like anything else you could say. It was a bizarre movie, but it was a fun, silly movie, I laughed. But at the end of it I was like, ‘How did people get outraged at that?’ I know some people personally who said it’s anti-men. I’m like, ‘No, it’s making fun of dorks.'”
Exploring the core of the controversy, Rogan delves into the contention surrounding male characters in the Barbieland universe. He discerns that critics who argue the film to be overtly “woke” misunderstand its underlying message.
According to Rogan, the movie reflects how Barbies hold central importance, relegating Ken to a mere accessory—a reflection of societal reality. Thus, the narrative’s alignment with the portrayal of the natural world drives its representation of gender dynamics.
