The 'Gru Hella Gay' meme features the protagonist of the Despicable Me franchise, Gru, in an exaggerated or intense pose, usually repurposed as a reaction image. While Gru's original character is a misunderstood villain turned father, the internet transformed a still of him into a sarcastic tool for judging content. The phrase 'hella gay' is used here in an ironic or playful internet slang context, often appearing on platforms like Discord and Reddit to react to unusual posts or 'sus' behavior. Over time, it has become a staple of ironic meme culture, utilized for its blunt delivery and the contrast between the family-friendly source material and the edgy caption.