Greta Gerwig’s highly-anticipated Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling has finally hit the silver screen. While critics and audiences alike are praising the film’s meta-humor and subversive approach to storytelling, there are some haters out there calling the film “anti-men.” Cue eyeroll. Whether too dense, too misogynistic, too close-minded, too accustomed to male-driven narratives (or any other explanation imaginable), such responses have led those who rightfully appreciate the fresh and female-driven perspective to fight back. For reference, outlandish tweets like the ones below have worked to ignite the controversy:

Hollywood is programming young girls to hate men

Barbie is anti male feminist propaganda and it looks like the new Snow White movie will be more of the same

The far left want to break the nuclear family and they’re succeeding pic.twitter.com/YN3ggnwJ7A

— The Centerview (@centerviewnews) July 23, 2023

DO NOT LET THEM SEE #BarbieTheMovie !!!!!! It is straight up feminist propaganda indoctrination!!!!!!! It’s anti-men,anti-motherhood and anti-families. It’s a modern woman all you can eat!!!!!!

— TheePlayb0iCarus02 (@CarusPlayb0i) July 22, 2023

We think you might be missing the gist

What I really don’t understand is the “criticism” (from a certain political spectrum) that #BarbieTheMovie is “anti-men” when it really is the funniest and cleverest pop cultural exploration of how feminism also frees the Kens.

— Benjamin Schaper (@chewschaper) July 22, 2023

Whether you’re a #Barbie fan or not, #BarbieTheMovie is definitely a watch.
It’s definitely gonna trigger (wo)(men) with fragile ego. Pro woman movie doesn’t mean it’s anti men in any way. If it does, it talks a lot about you yourself rather than the movie. 🙃🤙🏻

— flossophy (@pinku_shenoy) July 21, 2023

If you watch #BarbieTheMovie and leave thinking it’s anti-men, all that proves is you didn’t actually understand the movie 🤷🏼‍♀️

— Sam I guess I am ☮️ (@SmnthaBeeeeee) July 22, 2023

Those people who are saying the movie is anti-men really didn't get the message it wanted to deliver 🌚#BarbieTheMovie

— S. (@_wildflowersx) July 22, 2023

Focusing on women’s struggles does not inherently make a movie “anti-men” 

#BarbieTheMovie is literally for everyone and even though it focuses on women's struggles, it's definitely not "anti-men"
The fourth wall break in the Margot Robbie breakdown scene was tooooo good.
Glad to finally see A. Ferrera in a major film and with such a relevant character pic.twitter.com/H53RGCHoCD

— ANIKET JHA (@THISisAJ07) July 22, 2023

Ken has a storyline too (the man just isn’t the primary focus for once)

#BarbieTheMovie – I don't care What others have to say..I loved the movie especially the question about how women are expected to be perfect all the time. It is not anti-men either. Ken has a storyline as well pic.twitter.com/h1jKox8GPs

— Shine – 차은우 (Cha Eunwoo) – Fan account (@freedomlover21) July 22, 2023

It’s role reversal…think about that for a second 

Whoever thinks #BarbieTheMovie is anti men is just looking for issues yeah the third act is heavy handed but it’s simple a role reversal movie that isn’t mean spirited

— flawed antagonist (@film3o) July 21, 2023

men getting mad and making an entire hit piece on #BarbieTheMovie being “anti men” is telling…. So you agree being treated like an object/only there to be a love interest to the main character doesn’t feel … good? Your literally proving the point as it’s going over ur head 💀

— POND (@thesampond) July 22, 2023

Men are not the target audience (for a change)

men complaining about #BarbieTheMovie and saying how it’s “anti-men” don’t get it. ITS A MOVIE ABOUT WOMANHOOD ITS NOT FOR MEN pic.twitter.com/oLJeEP566U

— savannah ☆ (@vydnnah_) July 23, 2023

Gerwig is laughing all the way to the bank

How I imagine Greta Gerwig every time a fragile clown criticizes #BarbieTheMovie saying it's ugly and woke and anti-men and blah blah blah pic.twitter.com/TNo6sunkkt

— Dada Emme (@dadida_1) July 21, 2023

Ken is also super loveable in the film

So weird to see complaints about #BarbieTheMovie being "anti-men" when the most lovable character in the film is Ken. WTF more do these angry little men want? 🤷🏼‍♀️

— Fen (@That_Fen_Woman) July 22, 2023

“Arguing in bad faith” 

Anyone saying that #BarbieTheMovie is anti-men or anti-mom or anything like that is either media illiterate or arguing in bad faith and I'd lean more towards the latter because the message is so explicit it's impossible to misinterpret.

— MWP News (@MWP_News) July 20, 2023

The movie nails it

“Because Barbie can be anything, women can be anything"

the film was a masterpiece, every detail was on point, the messages it conveys are inspiring and powerful
thank you Greta Gerwig for giving us all a voice #Barbie #BarbieTheMoviepic.twitter.com/3TbwjY5QvH

— Steph🌻🦋 (@_ritacs_) July 23, 2023