Home Flashbox

Sorry to Be the One to Say It, but Ryan Gosling Is Giving Major Cringe as Ken in ‘Barbie’

Did they pull this grown man, who’s unaware of his age, out of WeHo?

Published by

To say we’re ready for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is an understatement. Margot Robbie looks gorgeous as the film’s protagonist, and Gerwig’s Lady Bird and Little Women were Oscar-nominated masterpieces. But on Wednesday, Warner Brothers released the first look at Ryan Gosling as Ken. And it’s giving full camp, full cringe. We’re not sure how Mattel is going to feel about this.

With his platinum locks, light-wash denim vest, and Calvin Klein-inspired underwear peeking over his low-rise jeans, we’re already lining up therapy appointments for the nightmares this is sure to give us.

La La Land homeboy looks like one of those creepy, older West Hollywood men who still think they’re in their 20s. The type to pretend to know the lyrics to Megan Thee Stallion to hit on people half their age. (Remember that Steve Buscemi meme? “How do you do, fellow kids?” It’s giving that.)

Maybe it’s his eyebrow-raised smirk. Or his over-tanned abs. Or the annoying, “Ken” labeled boxers. But honestly, it’s probably the blonde hair: it’s just that bad.

Given the genius that is Gerwig, perhaps that’s the point. Maybe it’s supposed to give cringe, ironically. Maybe it will be a movie that pokes fun at the superficial, plastic silliness of it all.

Robbie previously told British Vogue that the film won’t be what people expect: “People generally hear Barbie and think, ‘I know what that movie is going to be,’ and then they hear that Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it, and they’re like, ‘Oh, well, maybe I don’t… ‘ ” So we have some hope.

The upcoming film is stacked with a star-studded cast, featuring the likes of Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Barbie Ferrera, Simu Liu, Issa Rae, and Michael Cera. The film hits theaters on July 23, 2023.

From Rolling Stone US.

Recent Posts

Gorillaz ‘The Mountain’ Review: Death Has Rarely Sounded So Joyful

On their ninth album, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett acutely tackle their own experiences of…

February 26, 2026

Manon’s Katseye Hiatus: Black Girl Group Members Deserve Better Than This

As Manon Bannerman temporarily steps away from Katseye, artists who have been in her position…

February 26, 2026

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026: Phil Collins, Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, Oasis, Pink Lead Nominees

Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Melissa Etheridge, Billy Idol, INXS, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, New…

February 26, 2026

Kanye West Mansion Trial Opens With Clash Over Demolition of ‘Architectural Gem’

Tony Saxon claims he was injured meeting the music mogul’s demands, but Ye’s lawyer says…

February 26, 2026

Wu-Tang Clan Co-Founder Oliver ‘Power’ Grant Dead at 52

"Everything that we learned was hard knock life," said Power, who gathered the money to…

February 26, 2026

How Chaar Diwaari ‘Lived A Little More’ To Create His Worlds-Colliding EP ‘Parvana’

The New Delhi artist has brought in everyone from Sonu Nigam to Indian Ocean and…

February 25, 2026