They say, “No great story ever started with a glass of milk.” Well, here is something to change that notion. In cinematic portrayals of psychotic or mentally unstable characters, an intriguing trend is often observed: these characters are frequently seen drinking milk instead of traditional alcoholic beverages. Though it seems funny at first, it carries an eerie undertone. A person’s choice of drink says a lot about them.
For instance, people who enjoy wine are often associated with sophistication; beer drinkers are often seen as cool and approachable people. But a grownup chugging down MILK is something extremely uncomfortable to watch and demands a bit of explanation. This unusual choice of beverage carries deep symbolic significance that offers insights into a person’s background, psychological state, and societal perception. Here are some famous characters who have a peculiar fondness for milk:
Homelander from The Boys
It is obvious to start this discussion with Homelander, who took this trend a bit too far. In the famous TV series The Boys, Homelander, a superhero, is seen to be obsessed with milk. He is obsessed to the extent that he drinks breast milk from feeding bottles. Yes, it sounds disgusting, but the reason behind his behaviour is deep-rooted in his upbringing. Milk is often associated with nurturing and maternal care; Homelamder had neither while growing up. He was brought up in a laboratory as a “Supe” without a family. His traumatic upbringing and the lack of maternal love have scarred him emotionally. The recurring image of milk becomes a stark reminder of his stunted emotional growth and the void he could never fill.
But this is not the only significance of milk in The Boys. The speciality of this series is the subversion of traditional superhero tropes, and milk is the perfect symbol for that. Superheroes are typically portrayed as symbols of virtue and heroism, but here, the supes are anything but virtuous. The innocence associated with milk contrasts starkly with Homelander’s actions, highlighting the moral grey areas explored in the show. This subversion challenges viewers’ expectations, forcing them to question the motives and integrity of even the most powerful figures we hold in high regard.
Alex from A Clockwork Orange
In A Clockwork Orange‘s widely acclaimed opening scene, Kubrick introduces the film’s protagonist, Alex DeLarge, whose unsettling stare is juxtaposed with his eerie choice of beverage. Alex’s most notable traits are his passion for “ultra-violence” and classical music. One clearly does not go hand in hand with the other, and this dichotomy is reflected in his choice of beverage. The purity associated with milk contradicts Alex’s immoral actions, emphasizing the duality of his character. As the story progresses, the recurring presence of milk becomes a reflection of Alex’s inner conflict.
He transforms from a seemingly carefree delinquent to a victim of the Ludovico technique—a controversial behaviour modification procedure. His milk consumption during this “treatment” further stresses the manipulation of innocence. The act of drinking milk, an image of purity, becomes twisted as it is linked to his forced rehabilitation.
Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds
Christoph Waltz’s portrayal of Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds is undoubtedly one of the finest performances in the history of cinema. He paints Landa as a captivating yet detestable figure, and his choice of beverage makes his character even more ambiguous. The most striking aspect of Landa is his ability to don a mask of innocence and politeness while committing heinous acts; the act of drinking milk symbolizes this paradox perfectly. In the film, Landa is called “The Jew Hunter”, someone who relentlessly hunts down Jewish people.
The milk-drinking can be seen as a metaphor for his predatory instincts. Just as a wolf in sheep’s clothing hides its true nature, Landa uses his facade of innocence and civility to hunt and capture his prey. This creates a sense of irony and discomfort for the audience. In the opening scene, Landa drinks milk and slaughters Shosanna’s entire family. It is profoundly unsettling to witness a character who commits atrocities calmly sipping milk. But Landa’s choice to drink milk is not just a personal quirk; it is a deliberate display of authority. By enjoying a symbol of purity while intimidating others, he asserts his dominance and control over the situation.
Leon from Leon: The Professional
Unlike the previously mentioned characters, Leon is not portrayed as a sociopath in the film. He is a highly-skilled, emotionally detached hitman who leads a solitary and disciplined life. While not an explicit obsession, Léon’s relationship with milk is used symbolically to convey several aspects of his character. The choice of milk as his preferred drink subverts typical expectations of what a tough, stoic hitman might consume. It humanizes him and adds depth to his character, challenging conventional cinematic portrayals of hitmen as macho individuals. His daily routine includes buying and drinking milk, which becomes a ritual that provides structure to his chaotic life. Despite being a hitman, he has protective and caring instincts, which is evident in his attitude toward Mathilda. Therefore, his consumption of milk serves as a contrast to his violent occupation, suggesting a degree of innocence and vulnerability.
Rose Armitage From Get Out
The scene in which Rose drinks milk holds symbolic significance in the film. During a pivotal moment in the story, Chris discovers a box of photos of Rose with other Black individuals she has been in relationships with. These photos suggest a pattern of Rose luring Black people into her family’s home, where they are eventually enslaved. In this movie, the significance of milk is two-fold. The act of drinking milk from a straw is reminiscent of a childlike and innocent gesture.
This scene emphasizes the facade she presents to the world, especially to Chris, who initially believes she genuinely loves him. It also reflects the idea of white supremacy. It shows how racism can be hidden behind an image of innocence and how individuals who appear harmless can perpetuate systemic oppression. Jordan Peele uses this symbol to explore the subtler forms of racism and deception in society.
There are several other examples of this obsession. In Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle consumes milk to maintain a sense of control and normalcy amidst his deteriorating mental state; this act reflects his struggle with social isolation. In No Country for Old Men, one of the scariest villains, Anton Chigurh, is seen drinking milk.
This trend has made its way even into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Alexander Pierce, the secret head of the Nazi group Hydra, is seen drinking milk. The portrayal of all these characters consuming milk reflects a sense of duality. These individuals often grapple with multiple personalities, delusions, or hidden motives. Milk mirrors this internal conflict. It represents the blurry line between sanity and madness and creates a visual metaphor that encapsulates the complexity of these characters’ psyches.