'Don't Look Up' Sparks Memes, Commentary As Fans React to New Netflix Movie

The new black comedy Don't look Up may have divided critics with its cutting satire, but it has sparked a flood of memes and commentary about both the plotline and the attitudes it takes aim at.

Boasting a star-studded cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, and Timothée Chalamet—to name a few—the movie shows Planet Earth on the verge of destruction due to a huge approaching comet.

Astronomer and professor Dr. Randall Mindy (played by DiCaprio) and doctoral student Kate Dibiasky (Lawrence) make the grim discovery, and enlist the help of Rob Morgan's scientist character Dr. Teddy Oglethorpe to warn the world of its impending doom—though their message is largely dismissed.

President Janie Orlean (Streep)—an overtly reckless figure—and powerful mogul Peter Isherwell (Mark Rylance) have a direct hand in all but scuppering hopes of a rescue mission, leaving the world on course for total destruction.

The Adam McKay-directed movie has sparked the internet alight with chatter in the days since its December 24 release on Netflix—with many likening it to the reality of the world today, concerning both climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Actor, producer, and director Seth McFarlane kicked off the proceedings with something of a brief review of the disaster movie, as he urged his followers to watch it.

"Don't Look Up is world-class sci-fi (with the 'fi' admittedly dubious)," he wrote on Twitter. "Recommended viewing for anyone alive in the 21st century."

Actress Angela Belcamino took a swipe at Republicans as she shared her take on the film.

"Don't Look Up replaced the virus with a comet and all the rest falls into place.," she wrote. "Well played. Well written. p.s. repubs aren't going to like this one."

Non-affiliated Twitter account Netflix Diaries, which tracks all of the streaming platform's releases, shared a photo showing a protestor holding up a placard that read: "Every disaster movie starts with the government ignoring a scientist."

Captioning the image, Netflix Diaries added: "It's true. #DontLookUp."

Another viewer posted a shot of DiCaprio's Dr. Mindy with accompanying subtitles that read: "We really did have everything, didn't we?"

"This line from #DontLookUp perfectly encapsulates what is special about Earth, and why we should fight for it," the Twitter user wrote above the image. "Evolution of intelligent life requires a planet that's continuously habitable for 3 or 4 billion years. That such a planet exists is a miracle."

Sharing a comical assessment, another shared a collage of screenshots, showing an impeccably-styled Blanchett in character as news anchor Brie Evantee.

"[Who's] even paying attention to that damn plot #DontLookUp," they wrote.

Posting a gif of Blanchett's Evantee and Tyler Perry's Jack Bremmer sitting together in their TV studio, another said: "The critics said Don't Look Up is over-the-top satire. I think it's spot on."

Another shared side-by-side photos of Streep impersonating former President Donald Trump and the real estate mogul himself, writing: "Meryl Streep playing the role of a President in Don't Look Up brings back memories of this Oscar winning performance."

Going in a completely different direction, one viewer reignited the frequent mockery of Tyler Perry's movies featuring actors with ill-fitting wigs.

Sharing a screenshot of Morgan's Dr. Oglethorpe, which showed his wig, they wrote: Tell me Tyler Perry is involved, without TELLING ME Tyler Perry is involved."

Ultimately, shared another, there was one major point to be taken from the film: "Main takeaway: f****** do something about climate change you capitalist bastards."