Barbenheimer: How the Social Media Meme Became an Internet Phenomenon

When two highly anticipated films are slated for simultaneous release, it’s often acknowledged but rarely achieves immortalization via the realm of memes. Throughout the history of cinema, such coincidences have occurred over and over again, such as the simultaneous debuts ofThe matrixAND10 things I hate about you,ghost BusterANDGremlins,JumanjiANDHeat,Blade RunnerANDThe thing, to name just a few. However, none of these cases caused quite as fervent an internet sensation as the collision ofBarbieANDOppenheimer or, Barbenheimer.

The portmanteau celebrates (and finds amusement in) the contrast between the two, namely Greta Gerwig’s fantastical comedy.Barbieand Christopher Nolan’s biopic thrillerOppenheimer.What started out as a comedic response from internet users has now grown into something of a movement in itself, with many curating fictional worlds and graphic designs around merging the two worlds.

BarbieANDOppenheimersharing a release date was something that initially sparked irritation. In the music world, this contradiction has been compared to the exit of Taylor SwiftsMidnightand arctic monkeysThe car. However, the internet didn’t take long to kick in, flooding the digital landscape with a barrage of memes centered around the two films, sparking lively conversations about strategically booking tickets for one screening and then promptly proceeding to the next.

The cultural implications of Barbenheimer are nothing short of fascinating. Her appearance has been likened to the concept of counterprogramming, where two starkly divergent films are intentionally released simultaneously to cater to different audience segments. However, what sets this particular example apart is its deep meaning that goes far beyond just internet memes and encapsulates the culmination of cinematic history itself.

The whole movement is also subtly reminiscent of the practice of doubling viewing experiences, a concept that can be traced back as early as the 1930s. During this period, theaters were offering tickets for two films following the studios engaging in bulk sales, whereby multiple films were sold as a package to theaters. This approach allowed the audience to indulge in longer viewing sessions.

Today, Barbenheimer has evolved into a thriving source of entertainment, but its emergence as a cultural phenomenon can be attributed to a perfect blend of the inherent contrast between the two films and the postmodern cravings of contemporary consumers. At the same time, both films, in their subtle similarity, serve as a compelling commentary on the blurry lines of cinematic convention. At first glance, of course, they’re completely different, but again, are they both grappling with similar themes? Perhaps in the trailer, a major narrative turning point comes when Barbie asks her friends, Do you ever think about death?.

The confusion he encountered tells us that in the midst of his perfect world, his mind wanders into the much darker and more real realm of existence. Oppenheimer addresses similar issues; depicting personal struggles was something Nolan honed on from the start. He also deliberately chose to direct some scenes in black and white and others in color to represent the dichotomy between subjective and objective notions. Although fundamentally different in artistic flavors, both Barbie AND Oppenheimer confront the same ideologies about uncertainty as in real life.

Perhaps this is another key feature of such a pairing. To theBarbiepremiere, Issa Rae said, I love that there is solidarity even though people have tried to turn us against each other but now it has turned into a double picture situation.

Similarly, Cillian Murphy and Margot Robbie have both voiced their endorsement of the phenomenon, with Murphy saying, “My advice would be that people go see both, on the same day.” If they’re good movies, then the theaters win. Similarly, Robbie said she wants a signed Barbenheimer shirt from Murphy.

Ultimately, within this captivating blend, we find a fusion of elements that simultaneously encompass everything and nothing, culminating in a profound testimony of contemporary consumer culture. It embodies a world where genre boundaries dissolve in favor of pure entertainment, where thrillers seamlessly intertwine with comedies, all the while addressing shared concerns and issues.

Both films will be released in all theaters on July 21st.