Pink and plutonium. Those two words perhaps perfectly summarize the summer of 2023: gaggles of girls filling into theaters in pink skirts, the iconic black-and-white picture of Cillian Murphy with just a top hat and cigarette, Ben Shapiro flaming a doll, double screenings, and the iconic cinema war that reconciled itself into Barbenheimer.
On Friday, July 21, 2023, the world was gifted with not one, but two summer sensations: the fantastical comedy Barbie and biographical thriller Oppenheimer. Directed by Greta Gerwig, Barbie tells the tale of Stereotypical Barbie (played by Margot Robbie), the perfect atomic blonde living in Barbie World. Until she wasn’t. In a frightening turn of events, Barbie developed cellulite, flat feet, and existential dread, driving Ken and her to find her owner in the real world to fix whatever was making her so human. On the other hand, Oppenheimer, a Christopher Nolan film, followed the journey of physicist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, in developing the Manhattan Project, and dealing with the harrowing aftermath.
Echoing the national sensation, AMC and Regal theaters in and around Edison were filled with Edison High students and teenagers alike, posting fan-edits of both movies. Many girls layered themselves in black and pink clothes, to switch between the Oppenheimer and Barbie aesthetics, and even more movie-goers binged both in one day, as evidenced by the Edison High stories and posts.
“I watched the movie [Oppenheimer] with three other close friends,” said Chetan Kallam ‘26. “Oppenheimer was incredible. Some parts in the beginning were confusing; however, as the main project began, the movie became interesting.”
“I think Barbie resonates more with our generation with a more casual plot and humorous aspects,” said Ainie Syed ‘26.
And the internet seems to agree. Well, kind of. Regardless of their completely polar-opposite aesthetics, both movies seemed to have a few things in common. Both movies grapple with social/technological revolutions, the fall of two American idols, and the meaning of moving forward. Oppenheimer delves into the dark side of technology, one man’s pessimistic outlook on the future of society, and the evils of human nature. It echoes the lack of hope and cynicism many consider quintessential to Gen-Z.
“As EHS students, we relate to these movies because they reflect our experience of facing skepticism and societal flaws, but also finding hope, celebrating friendships, and prioritizing self-discovery, much like the characters in the films,” said Twisha Patel ‘25.
Similarly, Barbie discusses the overlooked flaws of the feminist revolution, the unmanageable standards put on men and women, and the 2020’s identity crisis. But, it is also about moving forward and self-love—something that many EHS students are working towards as we acknowledge both the bleakness— especially with back-to-school season— and the good (friends, events, clubs, sports) of returning to school.
“[I have] a more Oppenheimer mindset in school and a Barbie mindset outside,” said Syed. “It’s about doing good in school and focusing, but not burning myself out, and enjoying my sophomore year. I am excited for the year, especially seeing all my friends again.”
So, even if the next few days feel like a never-ending, monotonous pile of last minute summer work and back-to-school tests, it seems as if some Edison High students subscribe to the Barbie mantra: “It is the best day ever. So was yesterday, and so is tomorrow, and every day from now until forever.”
A motto more well-suited than, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”
