The 'Dark, Sad Life of Boogie2988' meme originates from the 2023 YouTube documentary directed by Mike Clum, which depicted the chaotic and often somber personal life of creator Steven Williams. The film’s high-contrast, dramatic cinematography and melancholic title card quickly became a template for internet irony. While the original documentary explored serious themes of financial ruin and health struggles, meme culture repurposed the aesthetic to mock minor personal failures or embarrassing habits. It is frequently used to frame mundane 'downfall' moments—like spending too much on hobbies or staying up too late—with the exaggerated gravity of a high-production investigative film.