Big Oscar Ken-ergy: 13 Reasons Ryan Gosling Deserves The Academy Award for ‘Barbie’

Apologies to Roberts De Niro and Downey Jr., but no one deserves the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor more than Ryan Gosling.

As of today, Barbie is now streaming on Max, which means it’s a great time to rewatch one of the best movies of the year, featuring one of the best performances of the year: Ryan Gosling as the much-overlooked Ken. Gosling didn’t so much play Ken, as become Ken. And I don’t mean that in the annoying method acting “terrorizing your coworkers on set way” — I mean that Gosling so thoroughly understood the assignment, that he completely embodied the spirit of Barbie’s doting, goofy, muscled boyfriend. Gosling charmed the world with his performance, now so ubiquitous that it’s hard to believe there was initial backlash to his casting.

Director Greta Gerwig has said she got the idea to cast Gosling after seeing him crush it on Saturday Night Live. “You know those actors you can just sort of feel that they know what’s funny, and I always felt that about him,” Gerwig said on an episode of the SmartLess podcast. “I’m a big fan of all of his SNLs, I always thought he was great on SNL. He did ‘Guy That Just Got a Boat’ on ‘Weekend Update,’ and it’s so good.”

It was an inspired casting decision, to say the least. Gosling’s performance is gaining Oscar buzz. He’s got a Golden Glob nomination, and he’s already won awards for Best Supporting Actor from critics circles in Atlanta, Boston, and Michigan. Here’s why Gosling—who so far has not won an Oscar in his career, although he’s been nominated twice—deserves that Academy Award for his transformation into Ken.

1. From Day 1, Gosling understood exactly who Ken was.

   Case in point: This Gosling interview with Jimmy Fallon from 2022, a full year before Barbie opened in theaters. “I was surprised how some people were kind of clutching their pearls about my Ken as though they ever thought about Ken for a second before this,” Gosling said. “They never played with Ken, nobody plays with Ken.” He added, “He’s an accessory and not even one of the cool ones.”

   Like, this man just got it. Instantly.

3. His reason for taking the role is possibly the greatest of all time.

   In that same interview with Fallon, Gosling told a story about getting the offer to play Ken from director Greta Gerwig. “Best script I’ve ever read,” Gosling said. “I walk out in the backyard, and do you know where I found Ken, Jimmy? Face down in the mud next to a squished lemon.”

   Gosling then sent a photo of the Ken doll to Gerwig, writing, “I shall be your Ken, for his story must be told.”

4. His Barbie worship is the perfect blend of sweet and cringe.

   Somehow, I both pity this man and empathize with him. Now that’s what I call acting.

5. His SoCal surfer accent is flawless.

   Gosling is Canadian, but his effortless Cali drawl in Barbie would make you think he grew up on Malibu Beach. It’s just subtle enough that it’s never overdone, but noticeable enough that it never takes you by surprise. Consistency!

6. His ill-informed understanding of the patriarchy is one of the funniest movie moments of the year.

   “Why didn’t Barbie tell me about patriarchy, which, to my understanding, is where men and horses run everything?”

   Credit to Gerwig and Baumbach for writing that perfect line, and credit to Gosling for delivering it with a perfect, hysterical note of uncertainty.

7. His Mojo Dojo Ken monologue is raw, real, and hilarious.

   “No, you failed me! Out there, I was somebody. When I walked down the street, people respected me just for who I am. One lady? She even asked me for the time. And if it weren’t for these technicalities like MBAs, medical degrees, and, I don’t know, swim lessons, I could have ruled that world. But I don’t need any of those things here. Here, I’m just a dude. And you know what? [Pauses to do a pull-up.] That’s enough.”

   It’s a ridiculous speech, but he speaks with total sincerity. That delivery of “No, you failed me!” is honestly haunting. Plus, the visual joke of him wearing three watches, because he got asked for the time, is highly underrated.

8. His physical comedy is everything.

   I mean, that subtle little muscle flex? Brilliant. So Ken.

9. Three words: “I’m.”

10. “Just.”

11. “Ken.”

    Yes, this masterpiece of a musical number counts as three reasons why Gosling should get the Oscar. Honestly, it should count as twenty. The choreo! The singing! The adorable little giggle when his fellow Kens kiss him on the cheek! The way he goes from lamenting being “just Ken” to realizing that being “just Ken” is Kenough! Just give this dude the Academy Award already.

12. He has a history of absolutely crushing acceptance speeches at award shows…

    Need I remind you all of the iconic 2005 Gosling and Rachel McAdams MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss?!

13. …including speeches for Barbie. (Already!)

    In presenting the Variety Hitmakers award for soundtrack of the year to “I’m Just Ken” songwriter and producer Mark Ronson, Gosling said, “Up until six months ago, the entire world gave zero fucks about Ken. He was just this 70-year-old crotchless doll with no house, no car, no job, and no voice, and look at him now! He has a Grammy-nominated power ballad and the voice of an angel.”

    If this is the Kenergy Gosling is bringing to present awards, just imagine how great that Oscar speech will be. I’m not saying the Academy should hand out Oscars based on how good someone’s speech will be, but… just think about it.

14. He helped men everywhere realize they are Kenough.

    Look, Ken is very a silly character. He’s the butt of a lot of jokes. But underneath all that denim, fringe, and insecurity, there’s a serious message to men out there who, like Ken, struggle to define themselves outside of their romantic relationships. I have it on good authority from the men in my life Gosling’s empathetic portrayal was relatable and moving. If that’s not worthy of an Academy Award, what is?