Of all the many brilliant set pieces in Inglourious Basterds, the most memorable scene in the movie involves Christoph Waltz enjoying a fresh glass of milk. Maybe you found it unsettling, or even gross, and didn't know why — the way he happily chugs the glass down, smacks his lips, and compliments the cows, knowing full well he's about to murder a family hiding below his feet.
Think back to Anton Chigurh sitting on the couch bottle of milk in hand staring blankly in No Country For Old Men. Recall the drink of choice for all the inbred overlords in Mad Max: Fury Road. Maybe you didn't even notice it — considering it another beverage like water, whiskey, soda, or coffee. But the milk wasn't just an arbitrarily chosen drink. It's used often in film for very specific symbolism. Now You See It analysed its use in a swath of famous films, and now that they've pointed it out, you'll notice milk every time — even after that nasty white mustache fades.
It's all to do with drinking milk relating to our childhood. Adults drinking milk can be just so damn creepy - great for a thriller or horror film. It’s a simple trick: make an adult drink milk on the screen, and everything becomes deeply unsettling. Or if an adult's having a glass of milk, it can be a sign that they're immature. Watch the video below for the full explanation.
h/t Sploid
