During an appearance on Piers Morgan’s “Uncensored” talk show, the famed actor and director, Werner Herzog, was asked about this summer’s “Barbenheimer” phenomenon. According to Variety, the filmmaker revealed that he had not gotten around to watching the entirety of either film.
“I have not seen Oppenheimer yet, but I will do it. Barbie, I managed to see the first half-hour.” Herzog revealed, “I was curious and I wanted to watch it because I was curious.” He went on to give a short analysis of what he had seen of the film. “I still don’t have an answer, but I have a suspicion – could it be that the world of Barbie is sheer hell? For a movie ticket, as an audience, you can witness sheer hell, as close as it gets.”
While some have taken this as a criticism of fellow director Greta Gerwig’s work, it could be more of an analysis of the complicated gender and social dynamics of Barbie Land in the film. Still, before giving his full thesis, Herzog promises to finish the film, saying, “I don’t know yet, Piers Morgan, give me a moment to watch the whole thing, I have to watch the whole thing first.”
Piers Morgan, however, does not seem as interested in having a nuanced discussion on Barbie, saying, “Trust me, let me spare you the horror,” Morgan sneered. “I watched the whole thing and it is hell. I completely concur with your initial assessment after half an hour. And I would definitely recommend you don’t put yourself through the rest of it.”
Despite sexist comments about the film, Barbie has still managed to earn a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars, so hopefully, Herzog still gives the film a fair shake.