Who plays Meh in The Emoji Movie? Everything to know about the voice behind the nonchalant icon

The Emoji Movie introduced audiences to a colorful cast of characters representing the digital icons we use every day, with one of the standout performances being the voice behind Gene, the "meh" emoji. T.J. Miller is the actor who brought this nonchalant icon to life, infusing the character with a unique blend of apathy and humor.

Gene’s journey in the movie is central to the plot as he struggles with his inability to conform to a single expression, making him an outsider in the digital world of Textopolis.

T.J. Miller is a comedy and animation veteran. His distinctive voice and comedic timing have made him famous in Hollywood. He was famous for playing Erlich Bachman on HBO's Silicon Valley and Weasel in Deadpool before The Emoji Movie. He makes Gene memorable in The Emoji Movie despite the film's mixed reviews.

Following Gene, a multi-expressional emoji living in Textopolis, a crowded digital city within a smartphone, in The Emoji Movie features Gene's failure to keep his "meh" expression, which sets him on a road towards normal emoji.

Along with his friends, Hi-5 and Jailbreak, Gene finds several apps and runs across issues, compromising not only his life but also the whole emojis universe. The film analyzes problems of self-acceptance and the pressure to conform once Gene at last accepts his individuality.

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The Emoji Movie: Meh, voiced by T.J. Miller

Unlike his parents, Mel and Mary, who are happy with their laid-back attitude, Gene is first presented in The Emoji Movie as an emoji who battles to keep his "meh" expression.

When Gene is chosen to be sent a text message instead of presenting a "meh" face, this inability to conform results in anarchy. This accident starts a series of events that endanger Textopolis, as Gene is declared a malfunction and under target for deletion by Smiler, the head of the text center.

Using the once-popular emoji Hi-5 to escape the threat, Gene sets out on a search for a hacker called Jailbreak, who could enable him to become a single-expression emoji. They travel across several apps, each presenting different hazards and challenges. Gene starts to see that as they travel, his "malfunction" might be something to accept rather than to correct.

They learn on their trip that Jailbreak is a princess emoji who has rebelled against her expected job. Gene begins to fall in love with her as they grow close, which causes him to undergo a period of self-discovery that he doesn't need to change to fit in.

The risk increases, though, when Alex, the owner of the smartphone, chooses to reset his device, wiping all the emojis and their environment. Using his multi-expressional skills in a last act of bravery, Gene sends a special emoji stopping the reset and saving their planet.

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T.J. Miller’s career highlights

T.J. Miller works in stand-up, film and television. He was lauded for playing the brash and eccentric Erlich Bachman in Silicon Valley. His portrayal of Weasel in Deadpool and its sequel established his reputation as a versatile actor with heart and humor.

Miller is well-known in animation as well as live action. He brought animated characters to life with his unique voice, including Tuffnut Thorston in How to Train Your Dragon and Fred in Big Hero 6. The Emoji Movie adds to his voice acting resume.

The Emoji Movie wasn't a critical hit, but T.J. Miller's portrayal of Gene, the "meh" emoji, was hilarious and deep. Miller gave Gene apathy and charm, making it memorable.