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Milk & Serial: A surprising and clever found footage hit

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Milk & Serial: A surprising and clever found footage hit

As a die-hard fan of indie horror and DIY filmmaking, let me tell you, I’ve seen my fair share of low-budget, high-concept masterpieces. But none have left me as utterly spellbound as That’s a Bad Idea’s latest offering, Milk & Serial. With its jaw-dropping twisty narrative and commentary on the dark side of streaming culture, this $800 gem is a must-watch for any horror aficionado or indie film enthusiast.

Previously, the team named ‘That’s a Bad Idea’ generated significant attention with their brief movie titled “The Chair“. This video currently boasts an impressive view count of 5.6 million on YouTube

Similar to “The Chair”, Curry Barker’s latest viral YouTube horror sensation, titled “Milk & Serial”, was both written, directed, and acted in by him. Produced with a minimal budget of $800, this groundbreaking found-footage film features a puzzling plotline that becomes increasingly disorienting and a series of pranks that take a dark turn. Additionally, it delves into the themes of voyeurism in today’s era of livestreaming

A birthday bash that doesn’t go as planned

Initially, the storyline of Milk & Serial appears straightforward: Character Seven (Cooper Tomlinson) plans a birthday party for his friend Milk (Barker). Being creators of their own streaming channel where they share pranks, they aim to outdo and astonish each other while recording the events. In essence, this is similar to what That’s a Bad Idea usually accomplishes, even though they are recognized for producing horror films; they also create sketch comedy. Throughout the movie, each prank triggers one escalating predicament after another

In the initial 20 minutes of their adventure, Seven and Milk encounter a series of disastrous events that lead them to conceal a crime. To make matters worse, a guest named Lara (Gloria Karel) disappears during the gathering. The motives behind her vanishing are exposed in subsequent videos. Since the movie can be watched for free on YouTube and I want to avoid spoilers, let me not delve into the specifics of what transpires. It’s more enjoyable to discover it yourself

Milk & Serial: A surprising and clever found footage hit

Milk & Serial‘s effective non-linear narrative

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share my thoughts on “Milk & Serial.” This captivating production doesn’t adhere to a conventional timeline; scenes are often filmed out of sequence, even by mere hours. This unique approach leaves us piecing together subtle hints and intriguing fragments. It isn’t until the very end that the entire pre- and post-party narrative unfolds, along with the genuine motives behind Milk and Seven’s actions

Yet, upon careful observation, the indications are present right from the start. For instance, at some stage in the gathering, one character admits to hurting a cat in their past. Such an act carries a strong impression of a potential serial killer

In a unique twist on non-linear storytelling, the movie “Milk & Serial” doesn’t just employ this narrative style; it masterfully manipulates fragmented and meticulously edited scenes to keep audiences guessing and intrigued about each unfolding scene. Given its subject matter – content creation and audience engagement – it’s no surprise that the creators are using such tactics to maintain viewer interest, much like how streaming content is designed. The film jumps back and forth in time at a breathtaking speed, keeping viewers hooked and engaged just as one would expect from other streaming platforms

Milk & Serial’s commentary on streaming and voyeurism

The excellence of Barker’s feature lies in its do-it-yourself vibe. It feels as though he and his companions enjoyed every moment of creating and distributing this movie. However, what truly sets this film apart is the insightful analysis it provides on streaming and audience engagement

As I immerse myself in this production, my mind keeps drawing parallels with the Shudder smash hit “Deadstream.” Similar to that movie, it revolves around a live streamer, portrayed by co-writer and co-director Joseph Winter, who pushes for more likes and subscribers by broadcasting himself within an abandoned, haunting house. Both works share a raw, chaotic energy and punk rock essence. Yet, unlike “Deadstream,” “Milk & Serial” unfolds in a non-linear fashion, making it more of a captivating puzzle as the viewer gradually uncovers each piece of the storyline

Despite Deadstream’s focus on social media influencers, Milk & Serial explores the concept of voyeurism more profoundly. As you watch, it seems like you’re observing two live streamers commit a crime and subsequently conceal it, even as cameras continue to record. The line between reality and performance for likes and views becomes increasingly blurred, making it challenging to distinguish one from the other. This is what makes this $800 movie so impactful

My only real gripe with Milk & Serial is that the ending feels too abrupt and deflates the energy and build-up that the rest of the movie contains. In a recent interview with Variety, Barker stated there is an 85-minute cut of the film that exists, as opposed to the 62-minute version uploaded to YouTube. At some point, I would like to see that version. He added that he uploaded the shorter version to make it feel quicker, but the conclusion suffers because of that.

Similar to “The Chair,” Milk & Serial demonstrates exceptional DIY indie filmmaking skills. This project could potentially be Barker’s ticket to a larger production, or he may choose to continue creating films according to his own vision. In any case, don’t miss out on watching Milk & Serial for free on YouTube to understand the buzz it has generated.

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2024-09-05 22:09

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