‘Milk & Serial’: This Unsettling 2024 Horror Movie Delivers Some of the Year’s Best Performances

Great horror films don’t always need big budgets or famous names to make an impact. One such standout is ‘Milk & Serial’, a gripping and unsettling 62-minute found footage film available on YouTube with a modest $800 budget. Created by Curry Barker, this film offers a chilling glimpse into the psyche of a killer. Its short, intense narrative is marked by compelling performances, a twisting plot, and disturbingly effective horror, making it a must-see for genre enthusiasts.

In a year filled with notable horror releases like ‘Longlegs’, ‘Humane’, ‘Arcadian’, and ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’, ‘Milk & Serial’ has managed to distinguish itself. The film begins as a seemingly typical YouTube video featuring Seven (Cooper Tomlinson) who showcases an elaborate prank as part of an ongoing prank war with his friend Milk (Barker).

Image Courtesy: IMDb

However, the story takes a dark turn as one character reveals a disturbing true identity. It's best to watch this film without prior knowledge but be prepared for the intense and unsettling imagery that will linger.

The film provides a disturbing view into the mind of a psychopath through numerous unsettling scenes featuring the primary serial killer talking directly to the camera. Barker and Tomlinson deliver strong performances, portraying contrasting reactions to the violence, enhancing the film's impact. 

The simplicity of their approach proves highly effective, particularly as the killer unveils his sinister plans. Supporting performances by Adlih Torres, Sterling L. Pope, and Jonnathon Cripple contribute to the film’s unsettling realism.

Image Courtesy: Variety

‘Milk & Serial’ fits into a trend where comedians are making impressive horror films, following in the footsteps of Jordan Peele and Zach Cregger. Barker and Tomlinson, known for their comedy channel ‘That's a Bad Idea’, leverage their experience with YouTube vlogging to create a believable found footage format. 

Their expertise in crafting engaging setups and effective horror payoff makes ‘Milk & Serial’ a remarkable and haunting experience, showcasing their skilful use of a limited budget and deep understanding of the medium.

–Farheen Ali