In the 2014 sci-fi masterpiece Interstellar, Joseph Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey, and Amelia Brand, portrayed by Anne Hathaway, land on a water-covered world known as Miller's Planet. The scene depicts the intense moment Cooper peers into the distance, initially mistaking a massive structure for a mountain range before realizing it is a miles-high tidal wave approaching their ship. His expression of pure shock and urgency has since become a staple of internet culture. This clip is commonly used as a meme to represent situations where someone is blindsided by a massive problem or an overwhelming consequence. It perfectly captures the feeling of impending doom or the sudden realization of a massive mistake. Whether it is a looming deadline or an unexpected bill, the 'Cooper Wave' is the go-to reaction for being completely outmatched by circumstances. Example captions include: 'When you realize the quick meeting is actually a 3-hour presentation' and 'Me seeing the 50 missed calls from my mom after a night out.'