Absolute Cinema Meme: What It Is, Where It Came From And What It Means
The Absolute Cinema meme is what happens when film critique meets internet absurdity. It takes everyday clips—both epic and ridiculous—and frames them like Oscar-worthy moments.
The meme originated from a dramatic black-and-white photo of director Martin Scorsese raising his hands. By December 2022, it was paired with an anime scene and the now-iconic caption “Absolute Cinema,” launching it into meme history.
It means “That’s so amazing.”
Whether sincere or ironic, the meme turns life’s exaggerated moments into cinematic gold. And if Scorsese’s hands are raised? You already know: Absolute. Cinema.
What Is the Absolute Cinema Meme?
The Absolute Cinema meme is a text or caption placed on videos, GIFs, or images to sarcastically—or dramatically—label a moment as “masterpiece” filmmaking.
Originally used in movie critiques, it was hijacked by meme culture to label moments that feel way too cinematic for what’s actually happening. Think a cat knocking over a vase in slow motion.
Sometimes it’s sincere. But more often, it’s pure irony. Either way, it’s meme gold.
Where Did the Absolute Cinema Meme Come From?
The Absolute Cinema meme finds its roots in a black-and-white photo of legendary director Martin Scorsese raising his hands—a still originally published by The New York Times on January 2, 2020, during an interview with the filmmaker. The image radiates passion, authority, and just enough meme potential to go viral once placed in the hands of the internet.
By December 2022, the photo got its meme moment. X (formerly Twitter) user @YashChillinn posted a side-by-side of an intense Chainsaw Man anime sequence with the caption “Absolute Cinema” over Scorsese’s photo. This pairing of high-drama anime and auteur approval struck a chord, opening the floodgates for meme creators everywhere.
Source: YashChillinn
On March 23rd, 2023, the Absolute Cinema meme gained traction across X. Users like @_lalaxyz used the image to comment on film The Shining.
Source: _lalaxyz
On April 16th, X user @Br32 used it in a post about NBA player Russell Westbrook’s wild plays. The phrase “Absolute Cinema” became meme shorthand for reacting to content that’s so over-the-top or emotionally gripping, it must be Oscar-worthy.
Source: Br32
On September 17th, 2023, X user @hayasaka_aryan made a post about slice-of-life anime written in the style of a greentext that used the photograph and ended with the line “Kino is served.” The post received over 470 reposts and 4,900 likes in six weeks, helping push the meme deeper into anime and ironic commentary circles.
Source: hayasaka_aryan
From horror classics to sports edits to anime about doing nothing, the Absolute Cinema meme shows just how flexible film praise becomes when filtered through meme culture. And if Scorsese’s hands are raised? You know it’s real—or at least meme-level iconic.
What Is The Deeper Meaning Of The Absolute Cinema Meme?
The Absolute Cinema Meme means “That was amazing”, “so awesome”, “so incredible” or “This is ridiculous—and I love it.”
It reflects how Gen Z and Millennials navigate sincerity and irony simultaneously. You can laugh at something and love it.
It also pokes fun at film culture’s obsession with depth. Not everything needs a 3-act structure to feel like Oscar bait. Sometimes, it’s just someone falling into a pool.
Conclusion
The Absolute Cinema meme began with a real photo of Martin Scorsese and evolved into a catchphrase that celebrates anything—from anime fights to basketball highlights—as cinematic perfection.
We traced its rise from its 2022 debut to its 2023 peak across X, where users reacted to everything from The Shining to Russell Westbrook with deadpan “Absolute Cinema” approval.
It captures the perfect mix of sincerity and satire. Sometimes it means “this is truly beautiful,” and other times, “this is so ridiculous, it belongs in a film.”
At its heart, it’s meme culture giving dramatic flair to everyday chaos—and turning Scorsese into the internet’s unofficial award presenter.
