The Sad Affleck meme originated from a 2016 interview promoting Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While co-star Henry Cavill spoke about the film's negative reviews, Affleck appeared to stare off into the distance with a look of profound, existential sadness. A fan-made video setting the clip to The Sound of Silence went viral, cementing the image as the internet's go-to symbol for disappointment and fatigue. Since then, the meme has expanded to include various paparazzi shots of Affleck looking exhausted or smoking, serving as a relatable icon for anyone feeling completely overwhelmed by life.