Even the wildest Barbie fan theories are automatically true

polygon.com:

There are a thousand densely layered visual and verbal jokes in Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s script for Barbie, but one in particular stands out, because it’s a light gag with such massive story implications that it feels like an ethos. When Aaron (Connor Swindells), a low-level Mattel employee, finds out “Stereotypical Barbie” (Margot Robbie) has escaped from the fantasy world of Barbieland and entered Reality, he immediately alerts Mattel’s CEO (Will Ferrell) and the corporation’s board of directors. But then Aaron takes a moment to ponder the ontology of the world he lives in.

“So… is Barbieland an alternate reality?” He starts to ask. “Or is it like a place where your imagination—” In absolute unison, the entire board cuts him off with a resounding “YES!”

The message is clear: Do not think about the underpinnings of this world. Just stop asking questions right now. Further, because of the way Aaron gets cut off with a yes before he’s even done listing the possibilities for what Barbieland might be or might mean, there’s an extra layer to it all: a suggestion that sure, all theories about Barbieland are equally valid, and equally meaningless. And because the entire Mattel board delivers that verdict in emphatic chorus, there’s an extra hint of impatience and authority to it all, an air that says We’ve addressed this question a thousand times already, we’re tired of it, and we’ve come to a consensus. We just want you to toe the party line on this and move on.

It’s a funny moment both because it’s so abrupt, and because there’s so much nuance to the way Gerwig shoots and presents it. But it’s also enjoyable in a way that’s pretty rare for movies, because it’s a friendly, jokey invitation to just accept the metaphor,