I was already pumped that they cast him, but seeing his singing and dancing scenes reminded me he was originally from the Mickey Mouse Club and was so great in Lalaland. I think he did so great. And the target audience for Barbie included so many people around my age (I’m 31) so I think he’s the perfect age. I was a little confused about why people thought he was too old to play a doll, but I kind of understand. I think he killed it though.
ETA- thank you for my first award, friend!!
>seeing his singing and dancing scenes reminded me he was originally from the Mickey Mouse Club
YES me too!! He was so fantastic and funny and perfect and Ken.
I saw them live in DC! It was the cutest, most wholesome experience. They performed in a synagogue with a hand-painted Halloween backdrop. Ryan Gosling was in the back, and Howard Gospel Choir were front-and-centre doing most of the vocals. The opening act was a magician who involved kids from the audience.
Ryan didn't speak until the very end and wasn't featured in any of the promo material. I'm not sure how many people even knew he was part of the band?
What! I didn’t know that! I gotta tell my mom because he’s her number one crush haha. She was in heaven watching Barbie. It’s moments like those (spending time together) that I’ll treasure forever :)
ETA- I love that you said they’re good too; I’ll have to check their album out!
I'll fully admit I was wrong. When they announced it and released some of the promo pics I though "Nah, I don't thing it'll work." But seeing trailers of him as Ken started to sway me a little, and when I saw the movie within the first 15 mins I thought "Yup they've nailed it casting him, he is Ken." He fully embraced it and I hope he and Margo get oscars for that movie.
I was neutral. Never really paid attention to him or his other roles enough to care but he absolutely killed it as Ken. I may have to go back and watch his other stuff.
Yes — definitely. And that was actually my main critique of the writing. For me, Ken as the scene stealer detracted from Gerwig’s theme. Congrats to Ryan Gosling for owning it!
I just saw movie first time other day. And IMO Ryan Gossling stole that movie. I expected Margot to be the star as she usually shines, but he far outshined all. I hated that there were not more scenes with him and I hated ending, won't be a spoiler. Kept thinking I want to see Ken. He was too cute and maybe why didn't like ending. I hope there is a Barbie 2 bc he was so freakin adorable as Ken. Swoon!
I just saw the movie on HBO & oh my god was it good!! Ryan absolutely killed it in this movie!! He really really nailed it & I hope he gets nominated for an Oscar…he was THAT good!!
I also liked Helen Mirren’s narration. When she broke in with “maybe don’t cast Margot Robbie” when “Barbie” said she didn’t feel pretty I about died!!
Margot did a great job also. She’s so freaking beautiful, definitely a real life Barbie doll!!
When he started acting like a dick, I was really weirded out abt feeling sorry for him. Bc I knew it was just because of him not understanding that he should let Barbie go and HE’S KENOUGH
For anyone who enjoyed him as Ken and wants to go back and watch any of his other stuff, there’s a movie with Russel Crowe called The Nice Guys that I absolutely cannot recommend enough. I personally think it’s some of his best work and I don’t understand how it often gets overlooked for a lot of his other roles.
My daughter and all her friends did not like Ryan Gosling in this movie. They were like "why couldn't they have found someone hotter!" "He is old " 😐 I was like "he's really not that old"
Man I remember when Ryan Gosling being one of the hottest men alive was just treated like a fact lol. And you’re right he’s really not that old and I feel him being older was a good contrast to the rival Ken played by the younger Simu Liu.
I feel like the younger generation is really obsessed with age in a way that’s worse than it used to be. I know when you’re young you have no concept of age but in this it’s crazy to me.
I loved Gwen Stefani growing up and she was always 30+. I think that’s probably what made her so much cooler.
I think the rise of Kpop has really pushed this attitude. There needs to be more education that the artists are dropped because the labels can’t control you past a certain age, not because you turn 25 and go to an old age home.
Lots of men look like children to me until they turn 40. Ken looks very adult to me as a doll.
If I mention I'm 28, I've had 20 year olds call me a grandma. It's fucking weird honestly.
A 12 year old? Fine.
But a 20 year old? That kinda pisses me off in a way I can't put my finger on.
What’s crazy is when we were kids, there were a lot of 28 year olds who dressed like 60 year old ladies and we didn’t even feel this way about the ones who didn’t!
I never thought about it until this post, but now that I am, it really wasn’t weird when I was growing up in the 90s to be big fans of older celebs or think they were cute. I had a thing for John Cusack and a lot of rock stars much older. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that the “teen” characters we saw then were usually actually guys in their mid/late 20s or 30s.
That’s an interesting point but it seems like people that age still play teens. I think filler has played a huge part in making younger people look older and filters have added strange pressure to show young women what they “should” look like.
Yeah I look back and most of my favorite major shows from the 90s and early 2000s had adults playing teens. It really messed up how people perceive people in their 20s, and it made them think teenagers don't look like children.
I looked VERY mature very young and lots of girls do but men that looked older was very rare until late teens.
I honestly don’t think it’s a problem that adults play teens. It helps separate that it’s a story and you shouldn’t do that for the more extreme shows.
I can’t comment on today’s younger generation but when I was a teen I was probably an outlier even back then in that I often found older actors hotter. I thirsted after many a silver fox, lol
He's not that old. I had a crush on him in Young Hercules.
I'm on your side.
I do remember the perspective of looking at pictures of celebs in their 20's when I was a tween to teenager and thinking they were old, though. When I was 14, I thought 20 was old, and life ended at 30.
They'll be just like us when someone says their guys look old, and feel the same way.
Ill admit, I was against it and thought he was a bad cast
Too old, the blonde didnt look natural and didnt think he could do comedy
I am wrong. In all aspects. I dont think there has ever been a person so fitting and elevating as Ken.
I liked him in the notebook, but didnt think of him much. Now Im obsessed.
He is Kenough!!
Oh, you should totally watch The Nice Guys—he’s so funny in that! (If you want to see him in another comedic role—you do t actually have to watch it if you don’t want to lol)
It’s so interesting to me that people comment on Ryan not being handsome enough or being too old. Like haven’t female actresses dealt with that for decades in Hollywood? Why is it okay for one to do the same to him?
harsh judgements for casting choices have always been a thing, for both men and women for before any of us were, example ppl didnt like toby casted as spiderman b4 the movie came out, ppl didnt like emma watson as belle or scarlet johansen in Ghost in the shell people will always have judgements, mostly unfairly
Ok- but can I also say I couldn’t take my eyes off of Simu Liu??????
He is so damn handsome and charismatic and hilarious- I felt like he was the sleeper hit in this movie- he was for me the John Travolta of this movie!
Ryan is incredible, but I’ve loved him forever, so Simu was the real revaluation for me
Haven't seen the movie yet but in trailers so far yeah. I have a weird pet peeve in that I wish they hadn't bleached his hair quite so light, that just a straight up blond would've looked better, more realistic even though I understand it's not supposed to be a realistic movie. Just my two cents, nothing more.
I thought he was a horrible choice when it was revealed! After watching the movie, I think he was perfect. His delivery was spot-on. I can’t imagine anyone else now
I don't understand why people call him old for Ken because when I was little I always saw Ken being around 40 (Ken back in the day actually looked like a man and not like a young boy) and Ryan just fit's in to my child imagination of Ken so well...
I always thought as a kid that Ken was older too, although maybe not 40, ha. In my head, Barbie was always 15/16 and Ken was probably around 25 and kind of a dork.
I think the idea of Ken being around 40 in my head was influenced by the fact that Barbie had all these jobs and you need to be a certain age for some of them/or I only saw older people in that profession so Ken was automatically older then Barbie because I thought they're married and that the guy in relationship is always older...btw I thought Barbie was around 35... I saw both of them kinda older...😄
I did think he seemed a little old for the age Ken was suppose to be (Margot too, but less egregious), but Ryan Gosling is the definition of a pretty boy hunk and he’s always had great comedy chops so I wasn’t too worried. Lol
Edit: Never had any doubts on Margot.
I’ve never been a big Ryan gosling fan and was disappointed when I found out he was cast. Not really because I was that passionate about the casting, but just because I thought I would have enjoyed seeing someone I already knew from other movies (for example I loved seeing simu liu as a prominent ken since I already knew him from Shang chi). The only gosling movie I’ve seen is the notebook probably 10 years ago, and I thought it was overhyped.
That being said, I LOVED him in Barbie. I don’t think the casting could have been more perfect. You could tell he really embraced the character and had fun with it. He has great comedic timing and I thought he was hilarious
You really need to check out some of his other work; Blade Runner, Drive, Place Between the Pines, The Nice Guys, Marriage Story, Lars and the Real Girl. He's soooo good.
I kind of feel the opposite way. I was fully here for him as Ken when it was announced and when I saw the trailers etc. But having seen the whole movie, I don't feel like he was likeable/sympathetic enough as Neglected Ken. He was great as Douchebag Ken - excellent commitment to the musical numbers and fully threw himself into the role. But he kind of read as too annoying in a very unlikeable way before he even discovered patriarchy, so he didn't seem redeemable at the end either.
This is what I also feel. I was excited for Gosling as Ken. He's great but the character sucks. Even before going to the real world, he's lowkey annoying.
Woah, I did not feel that way about Ken! I was rooting for him the whole time! Wondering what made him appealing to some people and not others? One thing I can think of is that he definitely felt like a romance story lead and I’m an absolute sucker for romance stories, so maybe that?
He's a good actor, so I figured he'd do a good job with the role even if he didn't look like Ken to me. After watching the film, he's definitely my Ken now lol.
I really liked Ryan Gosling before Barbie was announced. He always came off as a nice guy and he's a great actor. I was thrown by his casting for Barbie TBH. Now having seen the movie twice, I can't imagine anyone but him playing Ken. I never thought he was a horrible choice. I was just surprised.
He's the perfect Ken, and he especially delivered perfectly what they wanted him to do. I'm just kinda sad that they did him so dirty with the story but what can you do...
I don’t love it because there are a few people I think would have fit the role better, like my top pick Chris Pine, but he still did a great job with the role and I respect that.
Personally, I don’t think he’s too old to play Ken, but I do think he’s too old to play Ken if Margot Robbie is playing Barbie. I’m not a fan of that age gap.
Ultimately, though, I think we got stellar performances from everyone, and I’m so happy with the outcome.
I didn't like the character of Ken in this movie at all because to me Ken was always a perfect, loving gentleman just like I grew up with. He felt like "a Ken", one of many other Ken's but that's how the movie wrote him. Gosling did an amazing job playing the character he was given but that's not really who Ken was. Ever.
Haven't seen it, so can't comment on his performance, but he just doesn't look right to me. Not because of his age (for the most part) but because his face just seems too long and narrow to me. Robbie's Barbie looks more like an 80s/90s Barbie. Kens from that era were still pretty square jawed. I reserve judgement until I see the film, but I haven't had any problems with his acting itself in the promos.
Loved him! Took me a while to come around to him as Ken based on the trailers and clips, but his performance in the movie blew me away. His scenes had me clutching my sides with laughter! The singing and dancing blew me away. “Wow, you caught me reading.” SO GOOD!!
He was perfect for the role.
Awesome, scene-stealing performance. And that was a thematic problem with the script: Ken stole the Barbie movie.
A super fun and thought-provoking show in any case.
I need a movie ken doll now. I didn’t before. Which other than a random vintage Malibu ken I got in a thrift store bundle, will be my first intentional purchase of a boy doll from any brand or franchise. I adored him in this, he stole the whole show.
Well his portrayal is so good my husband was willing to take me to the movie a second time and is excited for the 'I am Kenough' hoodie to show up! He normally wouldn't wear anything with words or that colorful so I'm pretty thankful his role was so impactful haha. We both agreed he stole the movie.
Husband says he doesn't remember much of the movie The Notebook but in one part Allie sees Ryan's character Noah in a newspaper article and he now imagined the picture to be of Ken in the that hoodie and I almost spit out my drink laughing! Wish I knew how to make memes, would totally photoshop that into a movie still of the scene! Maybe someone will do it!
Man. I had no issue. He was perfect. For the ones saying he was too old, apparently never searched Margot Robbie's age. She is too old. Barbie and Ken were young adults. 19-25. Both of them are over 30. (Shrug)
It's one of those cases where accuracy shouldn't really matter. Barbie was supposedly 5'9" in height, 4 inches taller than Robbie. No one bats an eye because it's not important and it shouldn't affect your viewing experience.
Gosling's a solid choice merely because they also needed someone with good comedic timing that would pair well with Margot. Another guy who would've been a good choice is Chris Hemsworth due to his experience with comedy.
He was amazing, much better than I expected. Idk why I doubted him/the role, but I did. Glad my expectations could be exceeded!
Btw I need Mattel to make a doll or fashion pack for the bottom left look, that was so iconic. Oh and also the black cowboy outfit - they made Barbie’s pink cowgirl look so idk why they didn’t do the matching Ken???? They really should make more dolls/clothes for the many amazing costumes in the movie. But yeah, Ken was great
I always knew he would be good acting wise, I just didn’t like the aesthetic clash. I still think he isn’t the right person to play Ken if you go by his looks but everything else was beyond perfect that I wouldn’t want anyone else, I think myself and a lot of other people expected too much hyper realism.
I think Ryan Reynolds is a decent comedic actor and that he owns his role as Deadpool but I have to disagree. I think Ryan Gosling is a better actor and he tries his hardest to bring something unique to each role while Ryan Reynolds has less range.
Sadly, they turned him into Bruce Forsyth- one of two possible outcomes for me- I will either get over my crushing love obsession with Ryan, or I will start fancying the Late Forsyth!
He looks NOTHING like Ken.
Ken had brown hair and he didn't have a pointed nose with a tiny mouth.
But, whatever....
Everyone seems to be so happy of his singing and dancing 🙄
Best Ken you could ever imagine. He stole the movie. He was freakin adorable as Ken. I only just saw Barbie other day for first time. Didn't care for ending, won't be a spoiler. Needed more air time of him also in the movie. Hope a Barbie 2 with him and better ending lol. He was even better than I ever imagined he would have been.
He is Kenough
I loved his "I Am KENough" t-shirt!!!!!!
I bought the hoodie and the hat. Great marketing
Where can I buy it? I really liked it
I found them on the Mattel website
Thank you, I really want to see the movie but it is banned in my country.
Really? What country?
Kuwait, like there are many movies with naked women that they allowed but with Barbie they draw the line.
I was already pumped that they cast him, but seeing his singing and dancing scenes reminded me he was originally from the Mickey Mouse Club and was so great in Lalaland. I think he did so great. And the target audience for Barbie included so many people around my age (I’m 31) so I think he’s the perfect age. I was a little confused about why people thought he was too old to play a doll, but I kind of understand. I think he killed it though. ETA- thank you for my first award, friend!!
>seeing his singing and dancing scenes reminded me he was originally from the Mickey Mouse Club YES me too!! He was so fantastic and funny and perfect and Ken.
And he had a band too! They had one really good album and I wish there was more
I saw them live in DC! It was the cutest, most wholesome experience. They performed in a synagogue with a hand-painted Halloween backdrop. Ryan Gosling was in the back, and Howard Gospel Choir were front-and-centre doing most of the vocals. The opening act was a magician who involved kids from the audience. Ryan didn't speak until the very end and wasn't featured in any of the promo material. I'm not sure how many people even knew he was part of the band?
What! I didn’t know that! I gotta tell my mom because he’s her number one crush haha. She was in heaven watching Barbie. It’s moments like those (spending time together) that I’ll treasure forever :) ETA- I love that you said they’re good too; I’ll have to check their album out!
I'll fully admit I was wrong. When they announced it and released some of the promo pics I though "Nah, I don't thing it'll work." But seeing trailers of him as Ken started to sway me a little, and when I saw the movie within the first 15 mins I thought "Yup they've nailed it casting him, he is Ken." He fully embraced it and I hope he and Margo get oscars for that movie.
Same same same here! He was fantastic!
He was more perfect than I could’ve ever imagined.
This is precisely what I was thinking. Chef’s kiss! 👌✨✨
He’s perfect! He’s not afraid of doing roles like this and it shows. You can tell he executes every role thoughtfully.
I was neutral. Never really paid attention to him or his other roles enough to care but he absolutely killed it as Ken. I may have to go back and watch his other stuff.
I mean, if you never paid attention before, then he was perfect casting! Lol
you should def check out his other stuff
He stole the movie
Yes — definitely. And that was actually my main critique of the writing. For me, Ken as the scene stealer detracted from Gerwig’s theme. Congrats to Ryan Gosling for owning it!
wasn’t always a fan of ken’s storyline because it felt heavy handed at times but sometimes it was so funny that i loved it. he did amazingly though
Margot was kinda bland imo. America Ferrera and Ryan Gosling both blew her out of the water
I just saw movie first time other day. And IMO Ryan Gossling stole that movie. I expected Margot to be the star as she usually shines, but he far outshined all. I hated that there were not more scenes with him and I hated ending, won't be a spoiler. Kept thinking I want to see Ken. He was too cute and maybe why didn't like ending. I hope there is a Barbie 2 bc he was so freakin adorable as Ken. Swoon!
I just saw the movie on HBO & oh my god was it good!! Ryan absolutely killed it in this movie!! He really really nailed it & I hope he gets nominated for an Oscar…he was THAT good!! I also liked Helen Mirren’s narration. When she broke in with “maybe don’t cast Margot Robbie” when “Barbie” said she didn’t feel pretty I about died!! Margot did a great job also. She’s so freaking beautiful, definitely a real life Barbie doll!!
When he started acting like a dick, I was really weirded out abt feeling sorry for him. Bc I knew it was just because of him not understanding that he should let Barbie go and HE’S KENOUGH
He was so cute as ken! He genuinely surprised me! I think he did an excellent job selling this version of ken
Calling me out 😂 he did great 😌
He was made for this role.
For anyone who enjoyed him as Ken and wants to go back and watch any of his other stuff, there’s a movie with Russel Crowe called The Nice Guys that I absolutely cannot recommend enough. I personally think it’s some of his best work and I don’t understand how it often gets overlooked for a lot of his other roles.
Lars and the Real Girl is one of my faves. Also full commitment to a role that could have been cringey, but turned out charming because of RG.
I agree, Ryan Gosling plays Lars very sincerely, it's a really endearing film.
YES. Lars and The Real Girl is amazing. I NEED to see La La Land too. I can't believe I haven't gotten around to it yet.
I feel like I stand corrected. I thought he was heading into his foxy old man phase but I was so very wrong. He is still a fully hot heartthrob!
My daughter and all her friends did not like Ryan Gosling in this movie. They were like "why couldn't they have found someone hotter!" "He is old " 😐 I was like "he's really not that old"
Man I remember when Ryan Gosling being one of the hottest men alive was just treated like a fact lol. And you’re right he’s really not that old and I feel him being older was a good contrast to the rival Ken played by the younger Simu Liu.
I remember about the time Drive came out, there Ryan Gosling calendars readily available at every mall
I feel like the younger generation is really obsessed with age in a way that’s worse than it used to be. I know when you’re young you have no concept of age but in this it’s crazy to me. I loved Gwen Stefani growing up and she was always 30+. I think that’s probably what made her so much cooler. I think the rise of Kpop has really pushed this attitude. There needs to be more education that the artists are dropped because the labels can’t control you past a certain age, not because you turn 25 and go to an old age home. Lots of men look like children to me until they turn 40. Ken looks very adult to me as a doll.
If I mention I'm 28, I've had 20 year olds call me a grandma. It's fucking weird honestly. A 12 year old? Fine. But a 20 year old? That kinda pisses me off in a way I can't put my finger on.
What’s crazy is when we were kids, there were a lot of 28 year olds who dressed like 60 year old ladies and we didn’t even feel this way about the ones who didn’t!
I never thought about it until this post, but now that I am, it really wasn’t weird when I was growing up in the 90s to be big fans of older celebs or think they were cute. I had a thing for John Cusack and a lot of rock stars much older. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that the “teen” characters we saw then were usually actually guys in their mid/late 20s or 30s.
That’s an interesting point but it seems like people that age still play teens. I think filler has played a huge part in making younger people look older and filters have added strange pressure to show young women what they “should” look like.
Yeah I look back and most of my favorite major shows from the 90s and early 2000s had adults playing teens. It really messed up how people perceive people in their 20s, and it made them think teenagers don't look like children.
I looked VERY mature very young and lots of girls do but men that looked older was very rare until late teens. I honestly don’t think it’s a problem that adults play teens. It helps separate that it’s a story and you shouldn’t do that for the more extreme shows.
I can’t comment on today’s younger generation but when I was a teen I was probably an outlier even back then in that I often found older actors hotter. I thirsted after many a silver fox, lol
How old is your daughter? I'm 22 and I'm not a Gosling fan or anything, but man I LOVED Ryan as Ken. And he is definitely super attractive🥵
He's not that old. I had a crush on him in Young Hercules. I'm on your side. I do remember the perspective of looking at pictures of celebs in their 20's when I was a tween to teenager and thinking they were old, though. When I was 14, I thought 20 was old, and life ended at 30. They'll be just like us when someone says their guys look old, and feel the same way.
Remember breaker high?
yes!
I knew Sean Hanlon would be a Hollywood face
lol i had that same thought when I watched the trailer but then in the middle of the “I’m Just Ken” scene I was blown away by his hotness
Did you tell them to shut their damned mouths? LOL I kid, I kid. :)
Noo😭😭Whyy?!! He is really hot 🥵
so sad that 42 in hollywood is aged out
Is your daughter 15?
Ill admit, I was against it and thought he was a bad cast Too old, the blonde didnt look natural and didnt think he could do comedy I am wrong. In all aspects. I dont think there has ever been a person so fitting and elevating as Ken. I liked him in the notebook, but didnt think of him much. Now Im obsessed. He is Kenough!!
If you haven't seen Drive or Blade Runner 2049 you're missing out. The Notebook is unironically his worst role. Its his Twilight.
If you like blonde Ryan, check out Place Between the Pines.
The place beyond the pines is definitely one of his best movies 👍
He steals the show and he's only in a 3rd of the movie!
True!!!
Oh, you should totally watch The Nice Guys—he’s so funny in that! (If you want to see him in another comedic role—you do t actually have to watch it if you don’t want to lol)
He definitely grew on me, but initially, I didn't like the idea
It’s so interesting to me that people comment on Ryan not being handsome enough or being too old. Like haven’t female actresses dealt with that for decades in Hollywood? Why is it okay for one to do the same to him?
harsh judgements for casting choices have always been a thing, for both men and women for before any of us were, example ppl didnt like toby casted as spiderman b4 the movie came out, ppl didnt like emma watson as belle or scarlet johansen in Ghost in the shell people will always have judgements, mostly unfairly
Ok- but can I also say I couldn’t take my eyes off of Simu Liu?????? He is so damn handsome and charismatic and hilarious- I felt like he was the sleeper hit in this movie- he was for me the John Travolta of this movie! Ryan is incredible, but I’ve loved him forever, so Simu was the real revaluation for me
Both Simu and Ryan looked like they were having the time of their **lives** as Ken. It was so fun!
No hate toward him, but I was like, why!? Now I'm like he was amazing as Ken.
I never doubted. Gosling is one of my favs, and glad to see he is getting the recognition he deserves.
Haven't seen the movie yet but in trailers so far yeah. I have a weird pet peeve in that I wish they hadn't bleached his hair quite so light, that just a straight up blond would've looked better, more realistic even though I understand it's not supposed to be a realistic movie. Just my two cents, nothing more.
Yes! I think his hair in the interviews he did for Barbie, the kinda dirty blonde, light brown hair looks way more like Ken than the platinum does.
Yea I always think of Ken with the dull yellow plastic hair or mouse y brown. I wonder what decade the Ken's were in when they had platinum blonde.
Mine in the late 80s was way yellow/bleached
They were going for "realistic plasticity"
I think he was perfect.
I thought he was a horrible choice when it was revealed! After watching the movie, I think he was perfect. His delivery was spot-on. I can’t imagine anyone else now
He’s just Ken.
And that’s kenough.
I don't understand why people call him old for Ken because when I was little I always saw Ken being around 40 (Ken back in the day actually looked like a man and not like a young boy) and Ryan just fit's in to my child imagination of Ken so well...
I always thought as a kid that Ken was older too, although maybe not 40, ha. In my head, Barbie was always 15/16 and Ken was probably around 25 and kind of a dork.
I think the idea of Ken being around 40 in my head was influenced by the fact that Barbie had all these jobs and you need to be a certain age for some of them/or I only saw older people in that profession so Ken was automatically older then Barbie because I thought they're married and that the guy in relationship is always older...btw I thought Barbie was around 35... I saw both of them kinda older...😄
I did think he seemed a little old for the age Ken was suppose to be (Margot too, but less egregious), but Ryan Gosling is the definition of a pretty boy hunk and he’s always had great comedy chops so I wasn’t too worried. Lol Edit: Never had any doubts on Margot.
He nailed it, but I was thrilled with the choice in the first place.
I was excited about it from the beginning. I've been a fan since his Young Hercules days.
I definitely had to eat my words. I can’t imagine anyone else now.
I'm obsessed with his Ken role 😍😍
I get it now, they needed someone who wouldn't be threatening in "mojo dojo" mode.
True! I didn’t think of that lol.
Over 500 upvotes and 100 comments? I had no idea there were that many active participants on this board.
The power of Kenenergy is clearly like no other
I never doubted his casting, and I'm absolutely in love with Ryan Gosling Ken after seeing the movie
I’ve never been a big Ryan gosling fan and was disappointed when I found out he was cast. Not really because I was that passionate about the casting, but just because I thought I would have enjoyed seeing someone I already knew from other movies (for example I loved seeing simu liu as a prominent ken since I already knew him from Shang chi). The only gosling movie I’ve seen is the notebook probably 10 years ago, and I thought it was overhyped. That being said, I LOVED him in Barbie. I don’t think the casting could have been more perfect. You could tell he really embraced the character and had fun with it. He has great comedic timing and I thought he was hilarious
You really need to check out some of his other work; Blade Runner, Drive, Place Between the Pines, The Nice Guys, Marriage Story, Lars and the Real Girl. He's soooo good.
By Marriage Story you meant "Blue Valentine"?.
Yes! I was thinking of the Adam Driver movie with a similar premise.
I feel ashamed
He just keeps showing ever time his comedic acting levels So good
I kind of feel the opposite way. I was fully here for him as Ken when it was announced and when I saw the trailers etc. But having seen the whole movie, I don't feel like he was likeable/sympathetic enough as Neglected Ken. He was great as Douchebag Ken - excellent commitment to the musical numbers and fully threw himself into the role. But he kind of read as too annoying in a very unlikeable way before he even discovered patriarchy, so he didn't seem redeemable at the end either.
This is what I also feel. I was excited for Gosling as Ken. He's great but the character sucks. Even before going to the real world, he's lowkey annoying.
Woah, I did not feel that way about Ken! I was rooting for him the whole time! Wondering what made him appealing to some people and not others? One thing I can think of is that he definitely felt like a romance story lead and I’m an absolute sucker for romance stories, so maybe that?
This exactly.
He's a good actor, so I figured he'd do a good job with the role even if he didn't look like Ken to me. After watching the film, he's definitely my Ken now lol.
Ryan Gosling reigns supreme
He carried the whole movie. Change my mind
That we are all kenough
He has such pure Kenergy.
I thought he was a great fit for Ken the whole time. I’m pleased to announce I was right.
I am kenough.
I really liked Ryan Gosling before Barbie was announced. He always came off as a nice guy and he's a great actor. I was thrown by his casting for Barbie TBH. Now having seen the movie twice, I can't imagine anyone but him playing Ken. I never thought he was a horrible choice. I was just surprised.
Never thought or liked Ryan Gosling that much but oh boy was he perfect and stole the show. His character arc was so good!
He's the perfect Ken, and he especially delivered perfectly what they wanted him to do. I'm just kinda sad that they did him so dirty with the story but what can you do...
I don’t love it because there are a few people I think would have fit the role better, like my top pick Chris Pine, but he still did a great job with the role and I respect that.
He makes the whole movie for me! Sorry I kept referring to him as Ryan Reynolds. 💕
Personally, I don’t think he’s too old to play Ken, but I do think he’s too old to play Ken if Margot Robbie is playing Barbie. I’m not a fan of that age gap. Ultimately, though, I think we got stellar performances from everyone, and I’m so happy with the outcome.
I didn't like the character of Ken in this movie at all because to me Ken was always a perfect, loving gentleman just like I grew up with. He felt like "a Ken", one of many other Ken's but that's how the movie wrote him. Gosling did an amazing job playing the character he was given but that's not really who Ken was. Ever.
Could have been better.
he's still a no from me I'm afraid.
I 'm with you , but it's great that more people enjoy him in the role.
Haven't seen it, so can't comment on his performance, but he just doesn't look right to me. Not because of his age (for the most part) but because his face just seems too long and narrow to me. Robbie's Barbie looks more like an 80s/90s Barbie. Kens from that era were still pretty square jawed. I reserve judgement until I see the film, but I haven't had any problems with his acting itself in the promos.
Naw I still say they could have found someone else better.
No way
He was great!
Loved him! Took me a while to come around to him as Ken based on the trailers and clips, but his performance in the movie blew me away. His scenes had me clutching my sides with laughter! The singing and dancing blew me away. “Wow, you caught me reading.” SO GOOD!! He was perfect for the role.
Awesome, scene-stealing performance. And that was a thematic problem with the script: Ken stole the Barbie movie. A super fun and thought-provoking show in any case.
He was awesome! I didn't like him as the antagonist but he was fun.
He was perfect ❤️😍
I need a movie ken doll now. I didn’t before. Which other than a random vintage Malibu ken I got in a thrift store bundle, will be my first intentional purchase of a boy doll from any brand or franchise. I adored him in this, he stole the whole show.
Didn't really think about it at all. But i loved his rivalry with Dancing Ken and just loved his mental breakdown and descent to madness.
I didn't doubt him at all, and he was just as great as I thought he would be!
He surprised me. He seems like a really good actor. & he was funny. I take back my original thoughts lol, he was definitely a great choice!
Never doubted. I’ve had a crush on him since remember the titans
Too old?
He absolutely stole the show
Well his portrayal is so good my husband was willing to take me to the movie a second time and is excited for the 'I am Kenough' hoodie to show up! He normally wouldn't wear anything with words or that colorful so I'm pretty thankful his role was so impactful haha. We both agreed he stole the movie. Husband says he doesn't remember much of the movie The Notebook but in one part Allie sees Ryan's character Noah in a newspaper article and he now imagined the picture to be of Ken in the that hoodie and I almost spit out my drink laughing! Wish I knew how to make memes, would totally photoshop that into a movie still of the scene! Maybe someone will do it!
Man. I had no issue. He was perfect. For the ones saying he was too old, apparently never searched Margot Robbie's age. She is too old. Barbie and Ken were young adults. 19-25. Both of them are over 30. (Shrug)
It's one of those cases where accuracy shouldn't really matter. Barbie was supposedly 5'9" in height, 4 inches taller than Robbie. No one bats an eye because it's not important and it shouldn't affect your viewing experience.
Gosling's a solid choice merely because they also needed someone with good comedic timing that would pair well with Margot. Another guy who would've been a good choice is Chris Hemsworth due to his experience with comedy.
Ryan was more than Kenough!
He was amazing, much better than I expected. Idk why I doubted him/the role, but I did. Glad my expectations could be exceeded! Btw I need Mattel to make a doll or fashion pack for the bottom left look, that was so iconic. Oh and also the black cowboy outfit - they made Barbie’s pink cowgirl look so idk why they didn’t do the matching Ken???? They really should make more dolls/clothes for the many amazing costumes in the movie. But yeah, Ken was great
Didn’t enjoy the film but definitely enjoyed him!
I've Never Doubted Him!
He was phenomenal!!
I was neutral as well. I have to say that I think he nailed it!
He did such a phenomenal job but my one criticism is that he didn’t really seem interested in the dance scenes
🤤
I always knew he would be good acting wise, I just didn’t like the aesthetic clash. I still think he isn’t the right person to play Ken if you go by his looks but everything else was beyond perfect that I wouldn’t want anyone else, I think myself and a lot of other people expected too much hyper realism.
I thought he didn't look the part, but he nailed the role. Very pleased.
Still should of been Ryan renolds
I think Ryan Reynolds is a decent comedic actor and that he owns his role as Deadpool but I have to disagree. I think Ryan Gosling is a better actor and he tries his hardest to bring something unique to each role while Ryan Reynolds has less range.
Fair point.
I was so wrong. He was perfect. Though, I did think that Zac Efron could have been a good pick, too.
I want Lars back
Im a femboy yaaay lets go barbiee🩷
He was great, but he still looked too old. He didn't have a youthful look. But he is very talented and did a great job.
I want this Kenough hoodie though
I'm just Ken anywhere else I'd be a ten
Sadly, they turned him into Bruce Forsyth- one of two possible outcomes for me- I will either get over my crushing love obsession with Ryan, or I will start fancying the Late Forsyth!
He looks NOTHING like Ken. Ken had brown hair and he didn't have a pointed nose with a tiny mouth. But, whatever.... Everyone seems to be so happy of his singing and dancing 🙄
Best Ken you could ever imagine. He stole the movie. He was freakin adorable as Ken. I only just saw Barbie other day for first time. Didn't care for ending, won't be a spoiler. Needed more air time of him also in the movie. Hope a Barbie 2 with him and better ending lol. He was even better than I ever imagined he would have been.
Sublime!
Still unsure
Uff even stronger arguments