El Fin Se Acerca / The End Is Near

About

El Fin Se Acerca, which translates in English to The End Is Near, is a Spanish meme showing a picture of actor Chris Pratt with the text "el fin se acerca." The image was popularized on TikTok and YouTube in February 2022, particularly in image macro memes on the platforms.

Origin

It's unclear where exactly the meme started. The earliest known post of the meme was on January 16th, 2022, and was uploaded by YouTuber Netflix Oficial, though it only gained 160 views in one month (shown below). Later, YouTuber Modeus (H e l l D e u s) claimed credit for creating the meme.

Spread

On February 6th, 2022, YouTuber {Gaef Felblade} uploaded one of the first more notable videos using the meme in terms of engagement, receiving 2,800 views and 142 likes in roughly two weeks (shown below).^[2] The video shows a trailer for a Marvel film before the voiceover repeats "El Fin Se Acerca" over various pictures including Chris Pratt.

On February 11th, 2022, TikToker tronchatoro_bb0 uploaded the first viral video using the meme, receiving over 223,000 views and 33,000 likes in five days (shown below, left).^[3] On February 13th, 2022, TikToker el_fin_.se_.acerca uploaded the highest engagement iteration of the meme, receiving over 1 million views and 211,000 likes in five days (shown below, right).^[4]

On February 14th, 2022, YouTuber Modeus (H e l l D e u s) claimed credit for the meme and explained its origin. They noted they merely crafted a meaningless image, but it grew a viral meme. Their video received 18,000 views and 1,500 likes in two days(shown below).^[1]

On February 16th, 2022, YouTuber B – Gráficas uploaded a humorous bar graph race about the meme, receiving 798 views and 94 likes in nine hours (shown below, left).^[5] That same day, YouTuber Goku VS Ayuwoki uploaded a video matching El Fin Se Acerca with Mr. Incredible Becomes Uncanny, receiving 2,400 views in one week (shown below, right).^[6]

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References