The “Let Me In” meme features comedian Eric Andre desperately shaking a locked gate while screaming, used to express intense, almost unhinged desire to access, join, or participate in something. Whether it is a sold-out concert, a group chat you were not added to, or a new season of your favorite show – the “let me in” meme captures that primal energy of wanting something you cannot have.
How the meme works
Format: The image of Eric Andre shaking the gate paired with a caption describing something you desperately want access to.
Relatable usage
"Me when my friends made plans without me: LET ME IN"
"Trying to log into any website during a major sale"
Pop culture
"Me waiting for the next season to drop: LET ME INNNN"
"When the restaurant has a 2-hour wait"
Where it came from
The scene is from The Eric Andre Show, an absurdist comedy talk show on Adult Swim. In a segment, Eric Andre approaches a gate (reportedly outside a building) and starts violently shaking it while yelling “Let me in! LET ME INNNN!” The bit is funny because of the sheer desperation and intensity Andre brings to what should be a mundane situation.
The clip became a reaction meme around 2018-2019 as people started screenshotting the most desperate-looking frames and applying them to situations where they felt locked out of something.
Why it resonates
- Exaggerated emotion: The meme takes a normal feeling (wanting something) and amplifies it to maximum desperation. That contrast is funny.
- Eric Andre’s energy: His comedy style is all about disproportionate reactions, and this moment is pure distilled Andre energy.
- FOMO in meme form: The meme perfectly captures fear of missing out, which is extremely relatable in the social media age.
- Versatile: Anything with a barrier – literal or metaphorical – works with this format.
Best contexts for the meme
- FOMO moments: Friends making plans without you, exclusive events, sold-out shows.
- Tech frustration: Login pages, sold-out drops, server queues, waitlists.
- Anticipation: Waiting for new content, releases, or announcements.
- Any locked door: Metaphorical or literal. If there is a barrier between you and something you want, Eric Andre is shaking it.