Henri, Le Chat Noir is a web series created by William Braden, featuring a black cat who contemplates his existence through the lens of French New Wave cinema. First appearing in 2007 and gaining massive popularity with the 2012 video 'Henri 2, Paw de Deux,' the meme parodies existential angst and philosophical dread. Henri’s cynical observations about his human 'warden,' his 'imbecile' companion cat, and the futility of chasing a laser pointer resonated with internet users who enjoy dry, high-brow humor. The meme is typically used to express profound boredom, disappointment with society, or a sense of intellectual superiority over one's mundane surroundings.