The Sad Filter, often referred to as the Crying Filter, became a massive viral sensation on TikTok and Snapchat in early 2022. The AR effect uses facial mapping to manipulate the user's features into an exaggerated, hyper-realistic state of distress, making even the happiest person look like they are on the verge of a breakdown. It gained notoriety through prank videos where users filmed their friends and family, who were often laughing or confused, while the filter made them appear to be sobbing uncontrollably. The meme is widely used to mock dramatic overreactions or to add a layer of irony to mundane daily inconveniences.