The Grimace Shake Trend emerged in June 2023 following the release of a limited-edition purple milkshake at McDonald's to celebrate the character Grimace's birthday. While initially intended as a promotional campaign, TikTok creators quickly transformed it into a mock-horror trend where users would film themselves taking a sip, followed by a jump cut to a staged, cinematic crime scene covered in purple liquid. This trend combined dark humor with Gen Z's surrealist comedy, turning a simple fast-food item into a viral 'lovecraftian' monster. The meme remains a staple of internet culture for its creative editing and the way it satirizes corporate marketing through community-driven storytelling.