“Barbie” is premiering this weekend and is trying to pull off a seemingly impossible task: taking a doll best known for reinforcing conventional stereotypes of women and rebranding it as a symbol of feminism, all without coming off as a shameless ad for the doll’s maker, Mattel. Willa Paskin, a journalist and host of Slate’s Decoder Ring podcast, recounts her conversation with the film’s director, Greta Gerwig, about how she approached the challenge.Guest: Willa Paskin, Slate’s television critic and the host of Slate’s Decoder Ring podcast.Background reading: Mattel wanted a summer blockbuster to kick off its new wave of brand-extension movies. Greta Gerwig wanted the film to be a work of art.The reviews are in: Some critics viewed “Barbie” as satirically capitalistic, while others saw it as capitalistically satirical.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Willa Paskin, host of the Decoder Ring podcast, dives into the cultural phenomenon of 'The Dress,' which became a viral sensation debating its colors. She discusses how this controversy highlights deep psychological insights into perception and cognition. Paskin explores the interplay of social media and individual interpretation, revealing how factors like light conditions and personal beliefs shape our understanding of color. The conversation also touches on the importance of cognitive empathy in navigating differing perspectives in our increasingly polarized world.

Willa Paskin discusses the origins and evolution of Barbie, the success of a Barbie movie, and future plans for the franchise. Gabe Sherman examines a scandal at Horace Mann, an elite private school, involving racist social media pages, a teacher's controversial novel, and the influence of wealthy parents in college admissions.