The Licorice Pizza meme stems from the 2021 coming-of-age film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman. The meme typically highlights the frantic, high-energy, and often chaotic nature of the protagonists, Alana Kane and Gary Valentine. Most variations focus on Alana’s intense running scenes or her expressive reactions, which users have repurposed to describe relatable moments of urgency, social awkwardness, or determined pursuits. Since its release, the film's nostalgic 1970s aesthetic and its characters' relentless movement have made it a favorite for those wanting to express 'hustle culture' or the frenetic pace of modern life through a vintage lens.