The "Casey Affleck depressed" meme originates from the movie Manchester by the Sea, where Casey Affleck plays a character named Lee Chandler. The film is a deep dive into grief and regret, capturing Lee's emotional struggle and detachment from life after a series of personal tragedies. The specific image used in the meme features Affleck looking utterly defeated, encapsulating themes of existential dread and hopelessness. This poignant look became a meme staple for those moments when life feels overwhelmingly bleak, offering a visual shorthand for the struggles and disappointments of adulthood.