Home>Entertainment>Movies
There's only one, and he's hilarious.
ByKristy Puchko on
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Michael Cera is Allan, through and through, Credit: Warner Bros.
Welcome to Thanks, I Love It, our series highlighting something onscreen we're obsessed with this week.
When you think "Barbie," you think of Barbie and Ken — but probably not Allan.
The long-forgotten red-headed buddy of Ken, Allan has been resurrected in Greta Gerwig's Barbie. And from that first character poster, Michael Cera's casting had us intrigued. Now, with the film finally in theaters —after almost exhausting hype —we get to learn the secrets of Allan. And the big one is: He may be the single funniest doll in this movie.
What's the deal with Barbie's Allan?
Credit: Screenshot: YouTube
Barbieland is full of Kens, played by the likes of dashing actors like Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, Scott Evans, and John Cena. Then there's Allan. In a clip released ahead of the film's theatrical debut, Allan is introduced on a beach full of Barbies and Kens greeting each other.
In the scene, an unseen narrator (Helen Mirren) explains, "There are no multiples of Allan. He's just Allan."
"Yeah," Cera as Allan says in response, briefly breaking the fourth wall, "I'm confused about that."
SEE ALSO:
Is going to a movie during the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike crossing the picket line?It's a low-key hilarious introduction. Allan sticks out in the Barbieland of violent pinks, constant pastels, and high-energy neon colors. He's in a beach ensemble that's a bit bland in comparison: striped top, blue shorts, and matching blue sandals. He's casually not-cool and lacks the muscle definition of the swarm of Kens,though — as he'll note —he can fit into Ken's clothes.
The look, from the boring beach attire to the awkwardly combed hair and even the note about wardrobe sharing possibilities all come from the "real" Allan, a doll that originated in 1964 (and was revived as Alan, with one "l", in 1991). But Allan (and Alan) never really caught on. Yet Cera makes him a stupendous supporting character in Barbie.
Mashable Top Stories
Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.
Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Michael Cera is magic as Allan.
Credit: Screenshot: YouTube
From his first line, there's an absurdity to Allan, who doesn't fit the aesthetic of Barbieland. But as displayed in his brief exchange with the unseen narrator, he possesses a greater perception that comes from being a misfit. He's more aligned with Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), who knows of the Real World, than his dear friend Stereotypical Ken (Ryan Gosling), in that he can think for himself and acknowledge feelings beyond party and beach.
This becomes clear in that first beach scene, when Ken runs hard into the plastic waves, only to be ruthlessly rebuffed. Gosling's body spins like a kid flipping a doll around dramatically. Before he rushes to this calamity, Gerwig cuts to Allan, who cries out in comical concern, "KEN!"
Michael Cera screams as if he's a cartoon character whose baby has just been chucked into traffic. No one will blame you for cackling. The whole sequence is a terrific example of how Gerwig has fun with the idea of Barbie play within the film. But even as every Ken and Barbie rushes into the scene to help or snark (Liu's Ken is kind of a jerk), Allan's reaction hits the sharpest. Where the others never lose their smiles, Allan pairs his beachwear with a furrowed brow or a frown.
Related Stories
- Watch Ryan Gosling belt his heart out on 'Barbie' banger 'I'm Just Ken'
- Do you need to stay after the credits of 'Barbie?'
- ‘Barbie’ cast on the true meaning of the ‘Real World’
- Think pink: The rise and evolution of #Barbiecore
- Impala's Barbie roller skates are exact replicas from the movie — and they've just been restocked
Later, when Barbieland is a mess from colliding realities —and Ken's clumsy understanding of "patriarchy" —it is Allan who first expresses disdain. He is relegated to Brewski-Beer-and-foot-rubs duty with the brainwashed Barbies and he does not like it.
Long before Florence Pugh's frown launched a thousand memes, Cera's frown was distinctly speaking to teen angst. And now, grown and Allan, his frown speaks to being in a dystopian reality where boneheads are in charge. Allan is perhaps Barbie's most relatable icon. But more than that, Cera has made Allan the most reliably funny doll in Barbieland.
Whether he's battling construction worker Kens, slinging awkward catchphrases ("I can fit in Ken's clothes!"), or giving a stern expression in a quick but cutting cutaway, he is divinely funny. Reaction shots of Allan are destined to become scorching memes of shock and disapproval, because Cera is pitch-perfect as a doll who has seen too much.
How to watch: Barbie is now available to watch at home. Here's where to get it.
TopicsFilm
Kristy Puchko is the Film Editor at Mashable. Based in New York City, she's an established film critic and entertainment reporter, who has traveled the world on assignment, covered a variety of film festivals, co-hosted movie-focused podcasts, interviewed a wide array of performers and filmmakers, and had her work published on RogerEbert.com, Vanity Fair, and The Guardian. A member of the Critics Choice Association and GALECA as well as a Top Critic on Rotten Tomatoes, Kristy's primary focus is movies. However, she's also been known to gush over television, podcasts, and board games. You can follow her on Twitter.
More from Thanks, I Love It
Justice for Cressida Cowper, the unsung heroine of 'Bridgerton' Season 3
Cressida gets a close-up, and the writers reveal some grim truths.
By Meg Walters
Malala Yousafzai in 'We Are Lady Parts' is the cameo of the year
"Malala Made Me Do It" is an absolute country jam we have on repeat.
By Shannon Connellan
'Bridgerton': A vindication of Lord Debling's vegetarianism
It's giving Percy Bysshe Shelley or "Regency hipster".
By Shannon Connellan
Will Lestat return on 'Interview with the Vampire'?
Season 2's premiere has the answer.
By Kristy Puchko
'The Idea of You's August Moon gives us the boy band bops we deserve
"Dance Before We Walk" is the song of the summer.
By Belen Edwards
Recommended For You
Creepy 'Starve Acre' trailer teases Matt Smith in dark folk horror
Creepy kids and imaginary friends.
By Sam Haysom
Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra are the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn
Elite headphones for all-day wear.
By Samantha Mangino
'Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II' review: Dark atmosphere, but lacks punchiness
Ninja Theory’s dark narrative game is short and sweet
By George Yang
'The Substance' review: Demi Moore dazzles in a derivative midnight snooze
At last, Cannes embraces body-horror schlock, but the film is more metaphorical than meaningful.
By Siddhant Adlakha
Gear up your living room with high-tech TVs and projectors
Cinematic entertainment, right at home.
By Mashable BrandX and Hisense
More in Entertainment
Where the northern lights will be visible thanks to the solar flare
Tonight's forecast calls for auroras.
By Mike Pearl
How to see the Eta Aquarid meteor shower in 2024
The barely-there moon will make for great viewing conditions.
By Mike Pearl
How to see the Lyrid meteor shower despite the bright moon
The moon will be a buzzkill, but it doesn't have to spoil the show completely.
By Mike Pearl
Scientists explore deep sea around Easter Island, find strange animals
It's another world.
By Mark Kaufman
The moon blocked the sun, and the internet reacted with amazing solar eclipse jokes and memes
These posts eclipsed our expectations.
By Christianna Silva
Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for June 15
Everything you need to solve 'Connections' #370.
By Mashable Team
NASA rover discovers mysterious Mars boulder unlike any others
Could this be a sample of Mars' original crust?
By Elisha Sauers
How to watch Euro 2024 online for free
Bypass geo-restrictions to watch every Euro 2024 fixture for free from anywhere in the world.
By Joseph Green
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for June 14
Everything you need to solve 'Connections' #369.
By Mashable Team
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!