WARNING: Light spoilers for Barbie and America Ferrera’s performance ahead.
The nationwide release of Barbie is right around the corner, and audiences and critics who have gotten the chance to see an early preview of the movie are already singing its praises. From its colorful production design to its fun music and dance choreography to its surprisingly touching narrative, Barbieland is the place to be.
Audiences and critics alike are also acknowledging the fully committed performances by the film’s entire cast, which includes Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Kate McKinnon, and Michael Cera. One actor who is receiving considerable recognition is America Ferrera (Superstore) for her role as Gloria, an employee at Mattel, the company that makes Barbie dolls, who attempts to help Barbie when she travels to the Real World after having an existential crisis.
A particular scene being talked about the most is one where Ferrera’s Gloria delivers a powerful monologue to Barbie and her other Barbie friends about the challenges of being a woman in today’s world. It is smart and insightful and a major turning point in the film that drives its confident message to places you’d never think a Barbie movie could go.
There’s no doubt that Ferrera’s monologue is one of the highlights of Barbie. Based on early reactions, it’s definitely something that viewers are appreciating and talking about.
Many people are calling Ferrera’s character the heart of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie.
For a comedy, there were a lot of emotions happening when Ferrera’s character speaks her truth.
Can we get a copy of that monologue stat?
Some wondered if maybe that monologue alone could land Ferrera the first Oscar nomination of her career in the Best Supporting Actress category.
However Barbie ends up faring with mainstream audiences when it hits theaters this week, just remember America Ferrera deserves all the good things that come to her.
Barbie premieres at theaters on July 21, 2023.
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, Barbie being covered here wouldn’t exist.