Curry Barker

Curry Barker's journey from internet sketch comedy to acclaimed horror director is a fascinating example of modern Hollywood's evolving landscape. Initially known for quirky online videos, his unique vision quickly caught the attention of major players, transforming him into a sought-after talent. This is the story of a filmmaker who leveraged digital creativity into mainstream success, all while maintaining his distinctive voice. Curry Barker began his career as part of the internet comedy duo 'that's a bad idea,' creating short-form content for YouTube. His low-budget, found-footage horror film, 'Milk & Serial,' became a massive viral hit, launching him into the mainstream. Barker quickly followed up with 'Obsession,' securing a major distribution deal and solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the horror genre, with significant industry backing.

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AI Summary

Curry Barker began his career as part of the internet comedy duo 'that's a bad idea,' creating short-form content for YouTube.
His low-budget, found-footage horror film, 'Milk & Serial,' became a massive viral hit, launching him into the mainstream.
Barker quickly followed up with 'Obsession,' securing a major distribution deal and solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the horror genre, with significant industry backing.

From Internet Skits to Silver Screen Shivers

Curry Barker is a dynamic American talent, seamlessly blending the worlds of acting, filmmaking, and comedy. While many might recognize him from his sharp, often hilarious internet sketches, his career trajectory took a thrilling turn into the realm of horror, captivating audiences and industry titans alike.

The Viral Roots: 'That's a Bad Idea'

At the heart of Barker's early career was his collaboration with Cooper Tomlinson, forming the internet sketch comedy duo 'that's a bad idea.' Their YouTube channel became a platform for their inventive short-form content, often blending comedy with a developing knack for horror concepts.

Beyond his directorial work with Tomlinson, Barker has also made guest appearances in well-known television series. In 2023, he showcased his acting chops with roles in popular shows like 'Dave' and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,' demonstrating his versatility across different mediums.

A Breakthrough in Found Footage

The turning point arrived in 2024 with 'Milk & Serial,' a feature-length found-footage horror film co-created by Barker and Tomlinson. This chilling indie sensation exploded across the internet, becoming a genuine viral video phenomenon. Its success was undeniable, quickly attracting the attention of major talent agencies.

The buzz surrounding 'Milk & Serial' led to a significant milestone for Barker and Tomlinson: a representation deal with the prestigious United Talent Agency in early 2025. This marked their official entry into the traditional Hollywood system, a testament to their digital-first success.

Industry Recognition: 'Obsession'

Building on this momentum, Barker directed another horror film, 'Obsession,' in 2024. This project made a splash at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, premiering in the highly regarded Midnight Madness block. It quickly garnered critical acclaim, earning the first runner-up spot for the People's Choice Award in its category.

Just two days after its triumphant TIFF screening, major studios were clamoring for 'Obsession.' Focus Features reportedly entered exclusive talks, ultimately acquiring the film's distribution rights for over $15 million. This deal, finalized in October 2025, showcased the industry's burgeoning confidence in Barker's vision, with horror powerhouse Blumhouse Productions, led by Jason Blum, also joining the project in December 2025.

The Future is Frighteningly Bright

Barker's rapid ascent continues with his third feature horror film, 'Anything but Ghosts.' Announced just before 'Obsession's' TIFF premiere, this project sees him stepping up to direct, co-write, and even co-star. The film boasts significant backing from industry veterans like Jason Blum, Roy Lee, and Steven Schneider, produced under the Blumhouse Productions and Spooky Pictures banners, alongside Divide/Conquer. Focus Features is set to release this highly anticipated film.

A Glimpse at the Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Director	Writer	Executive producer	Notes
2024	Milk & Serial	Yes	Yes	No	
2025	Obsession	Yes	Yes	No	
TBA	Anything but Ghosts	Yes	Yes	Yes

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2023	It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia	Joey	Episode: Risk E. Rat's Pizza and Amusemement Center

Article

Curry Barker

Curry Barker (born September 22, 1999) is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, and YouTuber. He is known for the sketch comedy YouTube channel "that's a bad idea", which he co-created with his creative partner Cooper Tomlinson. He directed and wrote the horror films Milk & Serial (2024), Obsession (2025), and Anything but Ghosts (2026), all produced by Tomlinson, the centre of which grossed over $512 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing independent films of all time.

Early life

Curry Barker

Barker was born on September 22, 1999, and grew up in Mobile, Alabama. His mother is a graphic designer, and his father was a psychiatric nurse practitioner who later became a professional screenwriter. He has two brothers named Riley and Jeffrey, both of whom have collaborated on his films.

In a 2026 interview, he stated that he had an interest in horror from a young age, noting that his viewing of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) when he was 11 years old led him to want to chase the feeling of being shocked. A self-described "straight-C and -D student", Barker participated in the marching band, had his own rock band, and ran a YouTube channel with friends. He attended Baker High School.

Career

Curry Barker

Aspiring to be an actor, Barker left home at 18 to study at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) campus in Los Angeles. During his first week, he met fellow student Cooper Tomlinson, and they soon began making videos together on YouTube, which they described as "our film school outside of film school", forming the sketch comedy duo "that's a bad idea". Barker and Tomlinson soon dropped out, moved in together, and began publishing comedy sketches and short films on YouTube and TikTok, while Barker worked at Starbucks. Barker had occasional acting roles in other productions, including guest appearances in television series Dave and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in 2023.

In 2023, Barker wrote and directed the horror short film The Chair and uploaded it to YouTube, where it was watched more than 10 million times. Film producer James Harris of Tea Shop Productions contacted Barker, suggesting he adapt it into a feature, but Barker instead pitched Obsession (2025), a horror film.

Barker directed the $800 found footage horror film Milk & Serial (2024). After spending a year trying to get distribution, Barker ultimately decided to release the full film on YouTube. The film went viral, leading to a representation deal with United Talent Agency in early 2025.

On September 3, 2025, in advance of Obsession's TIFF premiere, it was announced that Barker would direct and co-write his third feature horror film, Anything but Ghosts, and co-star in it. The project is produced by Jason Blum, Roy Lee, and Steven Schneider through their Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and Spooky Pictures banners, respectively, alongside Divide/Conquer. The film is set to be released by Focus Features.

On a $750,000 budget, Obsession became a sensation, grossing over $500 million worldwide. TheWrap compared Barker and Kane Parsons—whose Backrooms (2026) was simultaneously very successful—to David F. Sandberg. All three began by creating YouTube videos before directing Hollywood feature films.

In April 2026, it was announced that Barker would be writing and directing a reboot of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with A24.

In June 2026, it was announced that Barker would be writing, directing, and producing an original horror film for Universal Pictures. Blum, James Wan, Lee, Schneider, Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath will produce through their Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Spooky Pictures and Divide/Conquer banners, respectively.

Filmography

Feature film

Short film

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Director</th><th>Writer</th><th>Producer</th><th>Editor</th><th>Actor</th><th>Character</th><th>Notes</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2019</td><td>Real World</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Rivers Rivera</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">2020</td><td>Contemplation</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Greg</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>We Don't Feel Pain!! (we tried a ritual)</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Himself</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Meanwhile Outside the Bank</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Ryan</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Drywall</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>David</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">2022</td><td>Heavy Eyes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Seth</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Cowboy with No Hat</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>Andre Curtis</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">2023</td><td>Warnings</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Seán / Kyle</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Enigma</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Mikey</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Chair</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>—N/a</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>I Can't Cry</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>Justin</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Striking Gold</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Jimmy the Bartender</td><td>Also titled Western Town</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">2025</td><td>Fly Me to the Earth</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Cotton Weary</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Chip Thief</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>Officer Barker</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Television series

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2">2023</td><td>Dave</td><td>Seymore Tamzarian</td><td>Episode: "Rebirthday"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia</td><td>Joey McPoyle</td><td>Episode: "Risk E. Rat's Pizza and Amusement Center"</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Web series

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2017–present</td><td>That's a Bad Idea</td><td>Various, himself</td><td>Sketch comedy YouTube channel</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Music videos

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Director</th><th>Writer</th><th>Producer</th><th>Editor</th><th>Actor</th><th>Singer</th><th>Character</th><th>Notes</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2024</td><td>That's a Bad Idea</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Himself</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2026</td><td>C.E.O.</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>Music Video Director / Himself</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>