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What's The 'Locked In Alien' Meme? The 'Next Step Of The Operation,' AI Video And TikTok Song Explained
There's a new meme on TikTok called the "Locked In Alien," known for answering the question, "What is the next step of the operation?"
The original video is seemingly AI-generated, however, the slew of memes and reactions to it are purely human, despite the video's subject being alien and as far from human as possible. Many want to know what the "operation" is that it speaks of and what underground rap song replaces its words.
So, where did the Locked In Alien meme come from? Why are people calling it the "Locked In Alien" anyway? Let's explain.
Who Created The 'Locked In Alien' Meme?
The original videos were created by a TikToker named @breachextract who shared them earlier this month. The creator primarily posts AI-generated videos showing unsettling scenes with uncanny creatures.
The TikToker tags a lot of their videos with "schizoposting" and "weirdcore." They seem to have created their own "-core" video genre dubbed "voidcore."
Anyway, both videos have racked up millions of views in a short timeframe. Something is resonating with (or brainwashing) viewers.
Why Are People Calling It The 'Locked In Alien?'
Someone commented "Geeked vs. locked in" on the second video shared by TikToker @breachextract. It received over 41,000 likes in four days and influenced the alien's nickname going forward.
The slang term "locked in," or "to lock in," means to focus. The action's often romanticized in memes as it's likened to masculinity and stoicism, best represented by the Sigma Face or mewing. Locking in became the subject of memes after the When You Gotta Lock In meme went viral last year.
"Geeked" is a word often understood as the opposite of being "locked in." It means to be stressed or anxious.
So, because of that "geeked vs. locked in" comment, people have been labeling the alien as "locked in" in two-panel memes, comparing him to a subject who represents being "geeked."
What's The 'Locked In Alien' Song?
The song being used in the Locked In Alien memes is called "Scissorhands" by Trekkrrholymountain and Weeping Wi11ow. It was released on streaming platforms earlier this year. The song's like a deconstructed rap song, emblematic of Edward Skeletrix or Haunted Mound.
Why Is The 'Locked In Alien' Meme Viral?
The early success of the Locked In Alien meme can be chalked up to the people's interest in undeniably "hard" beings.
A good comparison is the Opium Bird, which was also an AI-generated creature that automatically attracted lore because it seemed like an ancient, all-knowing creature that could go "fit for fit" or "aura for aura" with the biggest Rick Owens collectors (glazers).
For the full history of the Locked In Alien, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.