Every Ken In The Barbie Movie Ranked

Summary

• Each Ken doll in the Barbie movie adds a unique twist to the story by reflecting gender differences in Barbieland.
• The star-studded cast of Kens enriches the film’s narrative with entertaining and insightful developments.
• By exploring themes like toxic masculinity and patriarchy, the Kens play crucial roles in highlighting gender-related issues.

All of the Kens in the Barbie movie provide various versions of the hilarious and obscure dolls who fill the supporting roles in Barbieland. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie takes Mattel’s famous doll and tells a story about growing up and finding a purpose while addressing issues like the patriarchy, gender inequality, depression, and more. While many of these themes are explored through the main character of Margot Robbie’s Stereotypical Barbie, the film also cleverly uses Barbie’s long-time male counterpart, Ken, to tell the high-energy story.

Stereotypical Ken is just one of many Kens living in Barbieland, and all of these highlight the differences between male and female dolls. While there is a Nobel Prize-winning Barbie and an astronaut Barbie, the Kens are all “just Ken,” which leads to some entertaining and insightful developments within the movie’s story. Just like the various Barbie dolls, the Kens help make up the star-studded cast of Barbie and with some standout performances among the pack.

9 Earring Magic Ken

Played By Tom Stourton

Tom Stourton plays Earring Magic Ken, who sought refuge at Weird Barbie’s house. Earring Magic Ken is a real Mattel toy, also known as “Gay Ken,” and he wore a lavender mesh shirt, a purple pleather vest, a necklace with a circular charm, and an earring in his left ear. Earring Magic Ken was made for girls to think Ken was cool, but he had a much more significantignificant impact as he became an icon in the LGBTQ+ community.

His iconic outfit and the deliberate choice of accessories were seen as a bold statement of identity and self-expression at the time of his release in the 90s. This inadvertently made Earring Magic Ken a cultural symbol, celebrated for his fashion-forward aesthetic and a break from traditional masculinity. His role in Barbie acknowledges and celebrates this broader cultural significance, though his role is small, and he’s nothing more than Sugar Daddy Ken’s sidekick. Tom Stourton played John in About Time, Edward Snowden in The Spy Who Dumped Me, and Dan in the TV series Siblings.

8 Sugar Daddy Ken

Played By Rob Brydon

Rob Brydon plays Sugar Daddy Ken, or Sugar’s Daddy Ken, another refugee at Weird Barbie’s house. Sugar Daddy Ken was a real doll Mattel launched in 2009 as part of its Palm Beach line aimed at grown-up collectors. Sugar’s Daddy Ken was very stylish, but most importantly, it came with a small white terrier called Sugar, hence the doll’s name. Sugar Daddy Ken’s role in the movie highlights his importance as a stylish figure and a symbol of luxury and companionship.

His presence in Weird Barbie’s house, alongside other unique Barbies, further enriches the dynamic within this eclectic community. However, he’s one of the creepier characters and his appearance has been described as a “jump scare.” Rob Brydon’s portrayal brings depth to Sugar Daddy Ken, mixing refined elegance with a hint of playful charm, making him a memorable and beloved character in the film’s lineup. Rob Brydon’s projects include Cinderella (2015), The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Holmes & Watson, and The Trip to Greece.

7 Kenmaid

Played By John Cena

John Cena’s Barbie cameo is a mermaid version of Ken, thus the counterpart of Dua Lipa’s Mermaid Barbie. Kenmaid appears briefly in Gerwig’s Barbie movie, most notably when Stereotypical Barbie returns to Barbieland to find Stereotypical Ken has established a patriarchy, with Mermaid Barbie serving a beer to Kenmaid. Cena’s portrayal of Kenmaid in Barbie brings a unique twist to the traditional Ken persona by introducing a mermaid variant, adding a touch of fantasy and whimsy. His appearance is significant as it underscores the changing dynamics within Barbieland, particularly during a crucial moment when the traditional gender roles are flipped.

John Cena successfully made the jump from professional wrestler to actor, and among his best-known roles are Agent Jack Burns in Bumblebee, Jakob Toretto in F9 and Fast X, and Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad and the spinoff TV series Peacemaker. He remains a busy actor with roles in Argylle and the thriller Heads of State opposite Idris Elba.

6 Ken #3

Played By Scott Evans

Scott Evans is stepping out of his brother Chris Evans’ shadow for his role in Gerwig’s Barbie as Ken #3. Though Barbie features a variety of Kens, Stereotypical Ken is the one who, ultimately, gets the most screen time, but Ken #3 stands out thanks to Evans’ natural charm and the character’s sweetness. Despite not having as much screen time as Stereotypical Ken, Ken #3, played by Evans, captures the audience’s attention through his distinct personality and Evans’ engaging performance.

Ken #3’s genuineness contrasts sharply with the more flamboyant or exaggerated versions of Ken, providing a grounded and relatable presence within the diverse community of Barbieland. This particular portrayal highlights Evans’ growing prowess as an actor and enriches the film’s exploration of identity and individuality among its characters. Among Scott Evans’ past roles are Adam in the movie Almost Love, Oliver Fish in the TV series One Life to Live, Julian in Daytime Divas, and Oliver in Grace and Frankie.

5 Ken #1

Played By Kingsley Ben-Adir

Kingsley Ben-Adir plays Ken #1, one of Stereotypical Ken’s closest friends, and who always has a smile on his face – seemingly, he’s the bubbliest Ken of all. Ken #1, with his unceasingly bright and effervescent personality, offers a refreshing contrast to the more nuanced or complex dynamics among the Kens. Kingsley Ben-Adir’s ability to portray positivity is especially notable given his background in playing more serious and layered characters.

This makes the actor’s performance as Ken #1 a testament to his acting range and a crucial element that adds lightness and humor to the film’s atmosphere. Kingsley Ben-Adir played Wet Stick in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Jake Hapman in Disney’s Noelle, Dr. Marcus Summer in the TV series Vera, Ben Younger in Peaky Blinders, Karim in The OA, Russell McCormack in High Fidelity, and Gravik in Marvel’s Secret Invasion. Kingsley Ben-Adir plays Bob Marley in the biopic Bob Marley: One Love.

4 Ken #4

Played By Ncuti Gatwa

Ken #4, portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa, brings a heartfelt dimension to the Barbie movie, as he openly expresses his emotions, particularly in the poignant moment in the third act where he admits missing Physicist Barbie. This emotional openness adds a layer of depth to the character interactions within the film, enriching the narrative and offering a glimpse into the more sensitive sides of Ken’s personality.

Ncuti Gatwa’s background, notably his acclaimed performance as Eric Effiong in Sex Education, where he skillfully portrayed a character facing numerous personal challenges with both vulnerability and humor, informs his portrayal of Ken #4. His upcoming role as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who also anticipates his ability to bring complexity and emotional depth to his characters, qualities that he undoubtedly transfers to his role in Barbie, enhancing the emotional stakes of the Barbie movie.

3 Allan

Played By Michael Cera

Allan, uniquely portrayed by Michael Cera, stands out as the sole non-Ken male doll character in Barbie. His distinct personality in the film, characterized by his attempts to escape from Stereotypical Ken’s patriarchy, marks him as a figure of resistance and individuality. This portrayal brings depth to Allan, highlighting his differences and independence compared to the other male characters. His subplot adds a layer of social commentary, reflecting Allan’s desire for autonomy and difference, which is sharply portrayed against the backdrop of a more uniform Ken society.

Michael Cera’s previous roles, such as the awkward yet sincere characters in Superbad, Juno, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and Arrested Development, lend themselves well to this role. His expertise in playing characters that are both relatable and uniquely quirky adds layers to Allan, making him a memorable and significant character in the movie’s exploration of identity and conformity within the whimsical yet reflective world of Barbie.

2 Ken #2

Played By Simu Liu

As Stereotypical Ken’s biggest rival, Simu Liu’s role as Ken #2 in the Barbie movie provides a dynamic counterpoint, highlighting their relationship’s competitive and complex nature. As Stereotypical Barbie’s primary suitor and rival, Ken #2’s interactions are crucial in driving the narrative forward, particularly as he grapples with the prevailing notions of patriarchy and toxic masculinity that are central to the film’s conflict.

His ultimate confrontation with Stereotypical Ken and his army in the climactic third act is pivotal and underscores his internal conflict and evolution. Simu Liu’s background in action-oriented roles like Shang-Chi in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, combined with his comedic timing from Kim’s Convenience, equips him with the versatility needed to navigate both the physical and emotional demands of his character. This adds a layer of depth to Ken #2, making him a complex character whose struggles and development reflect larger themes within the movie.

1 Stereotypical Ken

Played By Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling plays Stereotypical Ken, who, as the name says, is the stereotypical blonde-haired, blue-eyed Ken who’s just as beautiful as Barbie. However, Stereotypical Ken is happy only when Stereotypical Barbie pays attention to him, and he can’t stand it when other Kens get all the attention, especially Ken #2. Stereotypical Ken was lost and based his identity on Barbie giving him attention, which made him vulnerable to the dangerous ideas of patriarchy and toxic masculinity, becoming the hilarious villain of the movie.

Among Gosling’s most notable roles are Noah in The Notebook, Jacob in Crazy, Stupid, Love, Sebastian in La La Land, and Officer K in Blade Runner 2049. Gosling’s ability to infuse humor and depth into such a role, drawing on his diverse career, enhances the character’s development from a mere stereotype to a complex individual. This transformation and his overall performance in Barbie were so compelling that they contributed to his Oscar nomination, underscoring his talent in adapting to varied and challenging roles.

• Barbie

  Release Date:

  2023-07-21

  Cast:

  Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Ariana Greenblatt, Helen Mirren, Nicola Coughlan, John Cena, Will Ferrell, Ritu Arya, Michael Cera, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Kate McKinnon

  Director:

  Greta Gerwig

  Genres:

  Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy

  Rating:

  PG-13

  Writers:

  Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig

  Budget:

  $100 Million

  Studio(s):

  LuckyChap Entertainment, Mattel Films, Heyday Films

  Distributor(s):

  Warner Bros. Pictures

  Franchise(s):

  Runtime:

  114 Minutes

  Where To Stream:

  Max