The Unsettled Detective Pikachu meme stems from the 2018 trailer for the live-action Pokémon Detective Pikachu movie. Featuring a high-definition, 3D-rendered Pikachu with a face of deep concern and squinted eyes, it serves as a more detailed spiritual successor to the classic Surprised Pikachu meme. It gained massive popularity across Reddit and Twitter as a reaction image to describe feelings of discomfort, suspicion, or the realization of a disturbing truth. Its expressive nature makes it the go-to template for highlighting life's most unsettling or cringeworthy moments.