For some women in China, "Barbie" is more than just a movie — it's also a litmus test for their partner's views on feminism and patriarchy.

The movie has prompted intense social media discussion online, media outlets Sixth Tone and the China Project reported this week, prompting women to discuss their own dating experiences.

One user on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu — a photo-sharing site similar to Instagram that's mostly used by Gen Z women — even shared a guide on Monday for how women can test their boyfriends based on their reaction to the film.

According to the guide, if a man shows hatred for "Barbie" and slams female directors after they leave the theatre, then this man is "stingy" and a "toxic chauvinist," according to Insider's translation of the post. Conversely, if a man understands even half of the movie's themes, "then he is likely a normal guy with normal values and stable emotions," the user wrote.

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[–] 15 points 3 years ago* (4 children)

It's not a movie for my taste as I prefer to watch sci-fi, action, thriller or historical themed movies. So if I was forced or coerced into seeing it, I would probably hate it too. Then again, I haven't seen it so don't really know for sure.

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  • [–] 36 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    It doesn't say you have to like the movie, just understand its themes.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago

    That's actually a very good point that I didn't even realise. I did say "hate it" but didn't mean hating the movie, simply disliking and not enjoying the time.

    I guess it's become far too easy to use extreme words in our daily speech nowadays, for which I blame social media.

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  • [–] 15 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    I tend to prefer similar movies as you and I loved the movie. It is a VERY fantastical, intelligent, existential, and heady movie. It's one of the most expert navigations of complex social dynamics I've ever seen and has an absolute shitload of cinema references and easter eggs to boot.

    Don't let the surface fool you. The franchise is just a vehicle for Greta's ideas to reach a mass audience.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    The franchise is a vehicle to sell barbies.

    Mattel decided this was the best way in the current cultural mood.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago

    That's like saying The Lego Movie and the Lego Batman movie were a vehicle to sell Legos. That's pretty obviously not all they were, and just because they could sell toys that doesn't mean they weren't also good movies.

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  • [–] 14 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    I second your opinion and I'm a woman. I just never liked the franchise, no matter how good the movie is, I don't think I'd enjoy watching it either.

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  • [–] 14 points 3 years ago

    You might not like it, but I have huge barbie issues and went with my 11 yo thinking it would be okay and poke a but of fun and have a slightly feminist bent. I truly loved every minute and am surprised how much I did. It is formulaic but done really well.

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  • [+] -30 points 3 years ago (2 children)
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  • [–] 5 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    having a taste does not mean to show hatred. You can simply dislike something and you're done.

    But if you show hatred to a movie, a show, a book and the people who worked on that (actors, directors...) I think you have some issues. And that's what this article is about right?

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