The 'Depressed edit' meme typically involves a group of Hollywood heartbreak specialists—actors known for their roles in emotionally deep or tragic films—presented in a specific visual style. These characters are depicted with a thousand-yard stare, a cinematic technique often used to convey disillusionment or emotional exhaustion. The washed-out color grade adds to the sense of despair, as does the melancholic tone of the background music, often "Stellar" by Incubus. This meme format cleverly encapsulates the feeling of realizing that adulthood might not meet the expectations set by youthful dreams, a sentiment that resonates with many in the modern age.