Milk & Serial

Is this movie amazing on its own? No, there are tons of better movies out there. Is it amazing considering it was made at home by non-professional filmmakers and on a very low budget? Yes, I don't think many people could pull this off. It's also better than some professionally made movies out there.

The only critique I can think of is that there are parts of it that feel slow or dragged out. But for the most part, it's an engaging, creepy movie with good actors, genuinely frightening/weird moments, and an interesting, well crafted plot. Not a huge fan of the found footage format, but it does it well.

A couple years back that kid from stranger things released a found footage horror movie called Spree. It's about a murderous, incel, wannabe influencer that goes on a killing spree. It was so bad that I made people watch it, not because it was funny-bad, but because I needed to share my anger with others---- this is like if that movie was good.

In general, I find found-footage to be boring and unimaginative. I gave this a shot, because I think Curry Barker & Cooper Tomlinson are funny in sort of a GreatValue™ I Think You Should Leave way. I was ready for this to be bad. Almost expecting it - but I was pleasantly surprised. It's fairly straightforward - Maybe a little bit derivative or predictable at times, but Barkers performance is what sells it. I was not prepared for him to be 1) good at acting 2) actually horrifying. Worth the watch. An impressive directorial debut.

The film's atmosphere captures a raw, gritty vibe, blurring the line between what's playful and what's unsettling. It's smartly paced, offering just enough time to figure out the ambiguity before diving deep into the darker side of things. The interplay between the characters creates an engaging dynamic, and the found-footage style enhances the believability, making it feel like you're unraveling the truth alongside them. The tension builds gradually, but once the facade drops, it gets uncomfortable in the best way. It's refreshing how it doesn't overstay its welcome, staying concise while maintaining suspense. "What do you mean you don't like it?"

"Milk & Serial" is a 2024 found footage horror film that explores the dark side of online fame and the dangers of crossing lines for content. The film follows two roommates and social media influencers, Milk and Seven, who push the boundaries of their pranks to increasingly dangerous levels. When a birthday prank goes horribly wrong, the pair find themselves entangled in a terrifying and deadly game with a mysterious entity.

The film effectively uses the found footage format to create a sense of immediacy and realism, immersing the viewer in the escalating chaos. The performances are strong, particularly from Curry Barker who plays Milk, capturing the character's descent into obsession and desperation.

"Milk & Serial" is a chilling exploration of the thin line between entertainment and exploitation, and the consequences of prioritizing views and likes over human decency. It serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of social media and the importance of ethical content creation.

A friend recommended I watch this, and I'm really glad he did. In an age of vacuous YouTube influencers and vloggers, this is a brilliant concept: take the format that I personally find pretty repulsive, and spin it on its head by putting the iPhone in the hands of a Gen Z psychopath.

The whole thing sucks you in by being extremely believable, thanks to some eerily well acted early scenes. The twists keep coming and thanks to some really snappy editing this film hits you right between the eyes.

Like a found-footage version of Man Bites Dog, this is a really exciting find, which is completely free on YouTube. The fact that this thing is available on the very platform it is slyly critiquing is a brilliant twist in itself, however it's the plot developments in this short film that will have you watching it for a second time almost immediately.

Hollywood must surely beckon for the cast and director.