“He’s Just Ken”: Barbie Oscar Nominations Sparks Outrage

Barbie was conspicuously absent from certain Oscar categories when the award nominations were announced Tuesday, and people are furious.

The record-setting film received a nomination for best picture, and Ryan Gosling is up for best actor in a supporting role for his admittedly iconic portrayal of Ken. But titular star Margot Robbie was nowhere to be seen in the list of best leading actress nominations, and director Greta Gerwig is not up for best director.

America Ferrera did receive a nomination for best actress in a supporting role. But still, the fact that a movie about the patriarchy does not acknowledge the leading women feels a little on the nose.

Meanwhile, Oppenheimer—the other half of the massive cultural phenomenon that was “Barbenheimer”—dominated the categories with a total of 13 nominations.

Never shy about sharing their opinions, users on X (formerly Twitter) let loose on the deep irony of Ken, but not Barbie, getting an Oscar nomination about the challenges of womanhood and the dangers of toxic masculinity.

Ken getting nominated and not Barbie is honestly so fitting for a film about a man discovering the power of patriarchy in the Real World.

— Michael. (@yosoymichael) January 23, 2024

Wait Ryan Gosling got nominated for his role as Ken, but Margot Robbie didn't get nominated for Barbie?! And Greta got snubbed for Best Director?!?!

Way to justify the literal plot of the movie @TheAcademy ???? #Oscars2024 pic.twitter.com/6MEHaSeTjZ

— Shirleigh (@ShirleighShirlz) January 23, 2024

So Greta Gerwig created one of the most original films of the decade, one that completely blew apart people’s expectations of what a #Barbie movie could be & resonated with millions … yet apparently that’s not *quite* worth a nomination for best director??? #Oscars2024 pic.twitter.com/UXbm4zrdIy

— Laura Tisdall (@LauraTisdall) January 23, 2024

Nominating Ken but not Barbie is so on the nose it hurts.

— itsonlyzach (@itsonlyzach) January 23, 2024

Let me see if I understand this: the Academy nominated "Barbie" for Best Picture (eight nominations total) -- a film about women being sidelined and rendered invisible in patriarchal structures -- but not the woman who directed the film.

Okay then.

— Charlotte Clymer ???????? (@cmclymer) January 23, 2024