The 'Joker Laughing' meme originates from the 2019 psychological thriller Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the protagonist Arthur Fleck. In this specific scene, Arthur experiences a painful and uncontrollable laughing fit caused by a neurological condition while in a public space. The character’s forced laughter, which often morphs into a choking or sobbing sound, serves as a haunting representation of his isolation and deteriorating mental health within a society that rejects him. This clip is widely used as a meme to depict the feeling of being overwhelmed by the absurdity of life or the irony of a bad situation. It represents a state of 'manic relatability' where someone laughs simply to prevent themselves from breaking down completely. It is especially popular for workplace humor, academic stress, and social anxiety scenarios. Example captions include: 'Me watching my life fall apart in real-time' or 'When the waiter says enjoy your meal and you say you too.'