The 'The Thing That Killed' meme template typically utilizes dramatic fantasy art depicting a colossal creature towering over a small, brave, or doomed individual. This trope, popularized through various digital illustrations shared on platforms like Reddit and Twitter, serves as the ultimate visual metaphor for life's overwhelming challenges. Users label the giant to represent major stressors—such as exams, work, or existential dread—while the smaller figure represents the person or thing trying to withstand the pressure. Its popularity stems from its ability to make daunting situations feel hilariously relatable through hyperbole.