(Credits: Warner Bros)

There was a time when you could not escape Barbie. Whether it was the endless memes, the viral “Kenough” merchandise, or the fashion revival it sparked, Barbie had its grip on the internet. And now, just six months after it quietly landed on Netflix in early 2025, it is already leaving. July 15th is your last chance to watch it before it disappears. If you are rolling your eyes and thinking, “Wasn’t that whole Barbie phase a bit much?”, you are not wrong. But maybe that is the best reason to give it another look.

When it was released in cinemas back in 2023, right alongside Oppenheimer, the film became more of a global spectacle than anyone had expected. It was no longer just a movie. It became a pink-fuelled cultural movement. But here is the thing. Somewhere between the viral TikToks and themed parties, Barbie the film got a little buried under Barbie the trend. Now, with the buzz finally quiet, there is actually space to watch it for what it is.

Directed by Greta Gerwig, Barbie is as playful as it is chaotic. The film opens in Barbieland, where everything is glittery, exaggerated, and comically ideal. Margot Robbie plays the “stereotypical Barbie”, who begins to experience uncomfortable human thoughts like death and insecurity. Her journey into the real world alongside Ryan Gosling’s Ken is funny and messy, but also surprisingly emotional. Ken, of course, learns about patriarchy and spirals into leather vests and power trips.

What makes Barbie worth watching now is not just the production design or the smart jokes. It is the way the film takes itself both seriously and not at all. It wants to critique the systems we live in, but also wants you to laugh at beach fights and Mojo Dojo Casa Houses. On first watch, this balance may feel confusing. On the second watch, it makes a bit more sense.

That is not to say the film is perfect. For all its ambitions, Barbie sometimes stumbles. Its themes, while bold, are not always subtle. The third act, in particular, tries to pack in a lot of messaging at once. And for a film that critiques consumerism, it sure became one of the most aggressively marketed movies of the year. But maybe those contradictions are part of its charm.

Barbie is not trying to be a polished essay. It is a colourful, high-budget identity crisis wrapped in plastic. It is trying to please everyone while also admitting that doing so is impossible. In that sense, it mirrors the experience of being a modern woman. Or a man who is unsure of what that even means anymore. It pokes fun at everything, including itself, and that is what makes it stick.

Watching it again on Netflix, with no opening day pressure and no social media debates, offers a clearer lens. You notice smaller details. The quiet moments land better. The jokes feel sharper. Even Gosling’s over-the-top performance starts to feel oddly layered.

And then, just like that, it is leaving. Which makes this the ideal moment to press play. You are no longer watching Barbie to join a trend. You are watching it because it actually has something to say. It may be loud, flawed, and a little too self-aware, but it is never boring. And in today’s content-saturated world, that is saying a lot.

So if you missed it last year or feel like you need a second opinion, now is your shot. Stream it before it walks off into the Netflix sunset in sparkly heels and a slightly existential mood.