The Ultimate Tessa Thompson GIF Guide: 7 Viral Reactions, Their Origins, And Her Latest 2025 Projects

Few actors possess the GIF-ability of Tessa Thompson. Her expressive face, combined with a career spanning some of the most culturally significant films and television series of the last decade, has cemented her as a cornerstone of modern internet reaction culture. Every nuanced emotion, from a subtle smirk to an enthusiastic cheer, is captured in an endlessly looping format that dominates online conversations today, December 12, 2025.

The ubiquity of the "Tessa Thompson GIF" isn't accidental; it’s a direct result of her masterful performances as complex characters like the warrior King Valkyrie and the ruthless Charlotte Hale. This deep dive explores the most viral GIFs, their exact movie and scene origins, and provides a fresh look at the actress's upcoming projects, including her highly anticipated 2025 film, *Hedda*, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information.

Tessa Thompson: Biography and Essential Filmography

Tessa Lynne Thompson, born on October 3, 1983, is an American actress, producer, singer, and songwriter who has successfully navigated the worlds of blockbuster cinema and critically acclaimed independent films. Her career is defined by a dynamic screen presence and a knack for choosing roles that challenge and captivate audiences. Her key roles have generated a massive catalog of reaction GIFs, making her one of the most quotable visual artists online.

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• Full Name: Tessa Lynne Thompson
• Born: October 3, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Notable Early Role: Jackie Cook in the television series Veronica Mars (2005).
• Breakout Film Roles: Sam White in Dear White People (2014) and Diane Nash in Selma (2014).
• Major Franchise Roles:
  • Valkyrie (King Valkyrie): Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), beginning with Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and continuing through Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).
  • Bianca Taylor: The Creed film series (2015–2023), alongside Michael B. Jordan.
  • Charlotte Hale/Dolores Abernathy: The HBO science fiction series Westworld (2016–2022).
• Upcoming Projects (2024/2025): The Listener (2024), where she plays Beth, and the lead role as Hedda Gabler in the 2025 film Hedda.

The Anatomy of Viral: Decoding Tessa Thompson's Most Used GIFs

Tessa Thompson's GIFs are popular because they perfectly encapsulate universal human reactions—from skepticism and confusion to pure joy and celebration. Understanding the context of these visual memes adds a layer of appreciation for her performance and the scene itself.

1. The Valkyrie 'Cheers' GIF (The Celebration)

This is arguably her most famous and widely shared reaction GIF. It features a slightly tipsy, yet charming, Valkyrie raising a glass with a smirk and a quick nod, often used to toast a success or a shared sentiment. The origin of this beloved moment is from 2017's Thor: Ragnarok. The scene occurs when Valkyrie, having captured Thor, is enjoying a drink on the planet Sakaar, showcasing her swagger and indifference. It instantly became the internet's go-to image for "cheers," "I agree," or "to that!"

2. The Sword-Licking GIF (The Power Move)

A more recent addition to the canon, this GIF went instantly viral upon the release of the trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). The brief, yet intensely sensual, moment shows King Valkyrie licking the blade of her sword, Dragonfang. It’s a powerful, confident, and slightly provocative gesture that is now frequently used online to express a feeling of "badass" confidence, intense focus, or simply to acknowledge a visually stunning moment.

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3. The Charlotte Hale Smirk (The Calculated Reaction)

From the world of HBO's Westworld, the character Charlotte Hale (or the host version) provides a wealth of cold, calculating reaction GIFs. The most famous is a slow, subtle smirk or a look of intense, slightly pained contemplation. These GIFs are often pulled from scenes where her character is dealing with the internal politics of Delos or making a difficult, often ruthless, decision. It’s the perfect GIF for expressing skepticism, internal struggle, or a quiet, knowing victory.

4. The Bianca Taylor Nod (The Supportive Partner)

Tessa Thompson’s role as Bianca Taylor, a musician struggling with progressive hearing loss and the love interest of Adonis Creed, is a source of warmer, more empathetic GIFs. The "Bianca Taylor Nod" is a gentle, affirming head movement, often used to show support, encouragement, or understanding. Key moments come from the Creed films, particularly during intense discussions with Adonis about his boxing career or their family life in Creed II and Creed III. A highly shared GIF from the franchise is the moment she says, "Maybe You Just Have To Fight Him," a line of tough love and encouragement.

5. The Detroit Art GIF (The Aesthetic Vibe)

The independent film Sorry to Bother You (2018) is a goldmine for unique, stylized GIFs. Thompson plays Detroit, a performance artist and activist whose bold fashion choices and powerful expressions are instantly GIF-able. GIFs from this film often feature her wearing distinctive, eye-catching outfits or engaging in her performance art, which includes wearing earrings that are miniature protest signs. These are used to express artistic appreciation, unique style, or a sense of playful rebellion.

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Tessa Thompson's Topical Authority: From MCU to Upcoming Dramas (2025 Update)

The continued relevance of Tessa Thompson's GIFs is inextricably linked to her ongoing, high-profile career. Her commitment to diverse projects keeps her in the public eye and ensures a constant stream of new, GIF-worthy content. Her topical authority is at an all-time high, especially with several major projects on the horizon.

The Listener (2024) and Hedda (2025)

In 2024, Thompson starred in the drama The Listener, directed by Steve Buscemi, where she plays Beth, a helpline volunteer. This role, while less action-packed than Valkyrie, showcases her dramatic range and is likely to generate more introspective, emotional reaction GIFs.

Her most anticipated upcoming project is the 2025 film Hedda, where she takes on the iconic title role of Hedda Gabler from the classic play by Henrik Ibsen. This role is a significant dramatic undertaking, and the press tour alone has already generated buzz for her sophisticated, high-fashion looks, which are often captured in stunning, editorial-style GIFs. The film's dark, complex narrative promises to deliver intense, deeply emotional reaction GIFs far removed from the Marvel universe.

The Power of Valkyrie and Representation

Thompson’s portrayal of Valkyrie, the MCU's first openly LGBTQ+ superhero, has a cultural impact that extends far beyond a simple reaction GIF. The "Valkyrie cheers" GIF, in particular, is often used by fans to celebrate moments of queer joy and representation in media, cementing her character as a significant cultural entity. Her work as a singer and songwriter, including her contributions to the *Creed* soundtracks, further expands her creative footprint, giving her an additional layer of LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keyword relevance for music and production.

From the fierce warrior of Asgard to the determined musician Bianca Taylor, Tessa Thompson's career is a masterclass in versatility. Each role she embodies, whether in a major franchise or an indie film, contributes a new layer to her digital legacy. The "Tessa Thompson GIF" is more than just a fleeting image; it's a testament to a powerful, expressive, and consistently relevant actress whose work continues to define the visual language of the internet.