With 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, Barbie is an undeniable critical and commercial hit. In fact, it's just become the first movie in history to hit that impressive financial benchmark with a sole female filmmaker at the helm.
Unfortunately, the movie's strong progressive and feminist messages have seen it become a target of some very frustrated men on certain corners of the internet. It's been accused of being "woke" and somehow offensive towards men, a sentiment which has been ridiculed by actor and comedian Marc Maron.
In a video praising Barbie as a "masterpiece," the GLOW and Joker star heaped praise on Greta Gerwig's movie, saying: "It’s like it does a fairly amazing thing to create a sort of broad-based entertainment product that applies to the entire spectrum."
"I think primarily of women. And then just seep it in progressive politics and basic feminism in a way that’s funny, informative and well-executed in a context that is completely engaging is [frick]ing monumental."
"The fact that certain men took offence is so embarrassing for them. I mean, so embarrassing for them," Maron later added. "Any dude who can't take those hits in that movie, they've really gotta look in their pants and decide what they're made of. I mean, Jesus Christ, what a bunch of f***ing insecure babies."
It's a little mind-boggling to think there are those legitimately offended by Barbie, and claims from grown men that they just wanted to see a "classic" take on the doll are, quite frankly, laughable.
There's currently no word on a Barbie sequel, though the expectation is that one is a priority for Warner Bros. and Mattel alike.
You can watch Maron's comments in full below.