From “Fresh Willem” to “looking at the sky,” Willem Dafoe has been the subject of countless classic memes. His wide range of iconic roles and distinctive facial expressions have made him a beloved figure among meme enthusiasts. Whether it’s his fierce intensity or his endearing quirks, Willem Dafoe’s versatility has enabled him to transcend film and become an internet sensation, inspiring a seemingly endless array of memes that are both sidesplitting and irreverent.
You might recognize Willem Dafoe from his roles in American Psycho, The Lighthouse, or classic Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire’s take), but he’s also the king of many memes. No matter if he’s gazing up at the sky in wonder, becoming “Willem DaFriend,” or puffing on a cigarette while cradling two oranges (one of them suspiciously moldy), Dafoe brings his trademark intensity and commitment to every facial expression – much like he does on the big screen.
Dafoe Looking At The Sky ( Willem Dafoe’s Awe-Inspiring Gaze)
The meme of Willem Dafoe looking at the sky originated from his portrayal of Vincent van Gogh in At Eternity’s Gate, a 2018 film. The still image captures the actor’s countenance, aghast, as if consumed by a sense of overwhelm or terror.
The meme is almost self-explanatory: It conveys astonishment and humility in response to the situation at hand.
“Me scrutinizing the cloudy sky, expecting an impromptu downpour,” one meme declares.
“Me gazing up, grappling with the vastness of the universe,” another observes.
Willem Dafoe looking at the sky can also signify the need to look upwards due to physical circumstances.
“Me seated in the front row, staring up at the theatre screen,” a more direct interpretation of the meme reads.
“5-year-old me marveling at the cloud that resembles a canine,” another instance states.
Willem DaFriend
Willem Dafoe’s last name bears an uncanny resemblance to “frenemy” to some. As a frenemy, a frenemy is a sworn enemy. In this concept, the internet imagined an alternate reality in which a parallel universe contained both Willem Dafoe and Willem DaFriend: the former a sworn enemy, the latter a likable individual.
The notion of Willem DaFriend has gone viral, with Willem DaFriend merchandise now being peddled online. What’s more, an eponymous tune titled “Willem DaFriend” has been released by the band OverTheWeather.
Smoking a cigarette and holding two oranges (one of them moldy)
A picture of William H. Dafoe puffing on a cigarette, one hand grasping each of two oranges, one of which appears to be past its prime, has morphed into an online meme due to its unassuming nature. To clarify, the photo is not staged; it indeed captures the actor in a moment of introspection with his daily drags and two pieces of citrus. Now, however, the image has evolved into a shortcut for expressing oneself in response to something encountered online, frequently employed to convey a sense of apathy, annoyance, or resignation.
The meme’s reach extends beyond its origins, transcending contexts to find new life. Imbued with a sense of irreverence, the image has been reimagined in unexpected ways, such as Dafoe’s iconic pose being superimposed onto the world of Skyrim. Additionally, the meme has been styled into a work of art by a creator who specialises in capturing the essence of internet culture.
Fresh Willem Dafoe
The meme’s creative wellspring appears bottomless, as the “Willem Dafoe holding oranges” meme has given rise to yet another: the Fresh Willem Dafoe meme. This latest iteration cleverly juxtaposes two vastly different personas of the actor. On one hand, we have Dafoe sporting a crisp light blue shorts suit and a red cap, embodying youthful energy and vitality. In stark contrast, The Lighthouse’s monochromatic palette and Dafoe’s weathered appearance evoke a sense of weariness and hardship.
This dichotomy has been cleverly leveraged to highlight opposing concepts, such as the difference between a college freshman’s enthusiasm and a college senior’s world-weariness. The “fresh” side might be captioned with “college freshman,” while The Lighthouse side could be labeled “college seniors.”
