Barbie – The Smiling Doll (2024) – A Dark and Daring Reimagining of an Icon

Prepare for a bold new take on the world’s most iconic doll! Barbie – The Smiling Doll (2024) is a thrilling departure from the vibrant fantasy of 2023’s Barbie, diving into the realm of psychological horror with a fresh perspective on the beloved Mattel character. Set to hit theaters on October 31, 2024, just in time for Halloween, this film reimagines Barbie as a symbol of eerie perfection in a chilling narrative that explores identity, obsession, and the dark side of idealized beauty. Produced by A24 and Mattel Films, The Smiling Doll blends the studio’s signature atmospheric horror with the cultural legacy of the Barbie brand. Here’s everything you need to know about this daring addition to the Barbie cinematic universe.

Release Date and Production Updates

Barbie – The Smiling Doll is slated for a nationwide theatrical release on October 31, 2024, perfectly timed to capitalize on the Halloween season’s appetite for horror. Filming wrapped in early 2024 in Los Angeles, with additional scenes shot in London to capture a haunting, retro aesthetic. Announced in late 2023, the project emerged as a surprise pivot following the massive success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie (2023), which grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Mattel Films, eager to expand the Barbie IP into new genres, partnered with A24, known for critically acclaimed horror films like Midsommar and The Witch, to craft a subversive take that respects the doll’s legacy while pushing creative boundaries.

The production faced minor delays due to the 2023 WGA strike but moved forward swiftly under A24’s streamlined approach. Directed by Rose Glass, the visionary behind Saint Maud (2019), the film is written by Glass and Weronika Tofilska, blending psychological depth with unsettling horror elements. Mattel Films’ executives, including Robbie Brenner, have emphasized that the project aims to honor Barbie’s cultural impact while exploring “unconventional storytelling” to appeal to both longtime fans and horror enthusiasts.

Cast: A Stellar Ensemble

The cast of Barbie – The Smiling Doll features a mix of rising stars and established actors, delivering performances that promise to redefine Barbie’s image:

• Florence Pugh stars as Barbara “Barbie” Millicent, a young woman whose obsession with a vintage 1959 Barbie doll spirals into a chilling psychological unraveling. Pugh, known for Midsommar and Little Women, brings intensity and vulnerability to the role, portraying Barbie as both a victim and a force of eerie agency.
• Timothée Chalamet plays Ken Carson, a charismatic but troubled artist who becomes entangled in Barbie’s descent. Chalamet’s casting nods to the classic Ken doll while infusing the character with a darker, more complex edge.
• Toni Collette portrays Ruth Handler, a mysterious figure inspired by Barbie’s creator, whose ghostly presence ties the story to the doll’s origins. Collette’s knack for intense, layered performances (Hereditary) adds gravitas to the supernatural elements.
• Ariana Greenblatt returns from the 2023 Barbie film as Sasha, now a college student investigating the urban legend of a cursed Barbie doll, connecting the two films thematically.
• Supporting roles include Jessie Buckley as a skeptical journalist and John Boyega as a detective drawn into the mystery, rounding out a diverse and dynamic ensemble.

Plot: A Chilling Tale of Perfection and Peril

Barbie – The Smiling Doll is set in the present day, weaving a psychological horror narrative around a vintage Barbie doll that harbors a sinister secret. The story follows Barbara Millicent (Pugh), a lonely antique collector who discovers a pristine 1959 Barbie doll at an estate sale. Drawn to its flawless smile and uncanny charm, Barbara becomes obsessed, believing the doll speaks to her and promises to fulfill her deepest desires for perfection. As her life transforms—gaining beauty, confidence, and social status—disturbing events unfold: friends vanish, eerie visions haunt her, and the doll’s smile seems to grow ever wider.

The film explores Barbara’s unraveling psyche as she grapples with the doll’s influence, blurring the line between reality and delusion. Ken (Chalamet) attempts to save her, uncovering a dark history tied to the doll’s creation and Ruth Handler’s legacy. Sasha (Greenblatt) provides a grounded perspective, investigating the doll’s curse as part of a college project, linking it to urban legends about possessed toys. The narrative delves into themes of societal pressure, the commodification of beauty, and the cost of chasing an unattainable ideal, all wrapped in A24’s signature slow-burn horror style. Expect unsettling visuals, like the doll’s eyes subtly shifting or its smile twitching in dim light, paired with visceral scares and a haunting score by Bobby Krlic (Midsommar).

While the film stands alone, it subtly connects to the 2023 Barbie through Sasha’s arc and references to Barbieland as a mythical “other world” that may have birthed the cursed doll. The climax reportedly involves a confrontation at a derelict Mattel factory, where the boundaries between the real world and a twisted version of Barbieland collapse, delivering a shocking twist on Barbie’s iconic Dreamhouse.

Director and Creative Vision

Rose Glass, acclaimed for her debut Saint Maud, directs Barbie – The Smiling Doll with a focus on psychological tension and atmospheric dread. Glass’s vision transforms Barbie from a symbol of empowerment into a haunting reflection of societal expectations, using the doll’s pristine image to explore themes of control and identity. Her collaboration with cinematographer Ben Fordesman creates a visual palette that shifts from pastel pinks to oppressive grays, mirroring Barbara’s descent. The film’s production design, led by Grant Montgomery, recreates a retro Mattel aesthetic with eerie undertones, including a life-sized Barbie box that serves as a recurring motif.

Glass has described the project as “a love letter to Barbie’s complexity,” balancing respect for the doll’s feminist roots with a critique of its idealized image. The screenplay, co-written with Tofilska, draws inspiration from horror classics like Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives, while incorporating subtle nods to Barbie’s history, such as the 1959 doll’s black-and-white swimsuit. Mattel’s involvement ensures brand authenticity, with real Barbie props sourced from their archives, but A24’s creative freedom allows for a bold, unfiltered narrative.

Why It Matters

The 2023 Barbie film redefined the doll as a cultural juggernaut, sparking the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon and earning over $1 billion at the box office. The Smiling Doll takes this legacy in a daring new direction, proving Barbie’s versatility as a cinematic icon. By blending horror with social commentary, the film addresses critiques of Barbie’s unrealistic standards—once a point of contention in earlier adaptation attempts—while offering a fresh narrative for a mature audience. A24’s involvement signals a high-quality, thought-provoking experience, potentially positioning the film as an awards contender for categories like Best Actress (Pugh) and Best Original Score.

The movie also reflects Mattel’s evolving strategy to diversify Barbie’s media presence, following the success of animated specials and the upcoming animated Barbie film announced in August 2024. For fans, it’s a chance to see Barbie in a genre rarely associated with the brand, while horror enthusiasts will appreciate A24’s signature style applied to a pop-culture icon.

Where to Catch Up

To prepare for Barbie – The Smiling Doll, revisit the 2023 Barbie film on Max or rent it on Amazon Prime to catch Sasha’s earlier arc and Barbieland’s aesthetic. For context on Barbie’s cultural impact, check out Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll by M.G. Lord (2024) or the documentary Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie (2018) on Hulu. Horror fans can explore Rose Glass’s Saint Maud on Amazon Prime to get a sense of her directorial style. Follow A24 and Mattel Films on social media for trailer drops, expected in summer 2024, and look for updates at events like Comic-Con.

Get ready for a Barbie like you’ve never seen before—one whose smile hides a terrifying secret. Barbie – The Smiling Doll is poised to haunt your dreams and redefine a legend.

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Sources: Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, ScreenRant, IMDb, A24, Mattel Films, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, and posts on X.