You're sitting there, coffee getting cold, staring at a guy who claims he just wants to deliver dairy. But something is off. Maybe it's the eyes. Maybe he’s missing a nostril. In the indie horror hit That's Not My Neighbor, the That’s Not My Neighbor milkman, known formally as Francis Mosses, is one of the most recognizable faces you’ll encounter at the security desk. He's also one of the most dangerous if you’re not paying attention.
The game, developed by Nacho Sama, has exploded in popularity because it taps into that primal fear of the "uncanny valley." It's basically a high-stakes version of Papers, Please, but instead of checking passports for a fictional country, you're checking to see if your neighbor has been replaced by a flesh-eating monster from another dimension. Francis Mosses is a fan favorite, mostly because he looks like he hasn't slept since the 1950s.
Who is Francis Mosses?
Francis Mosses isn't just some random guy. He’s the building's dedicated milkman. In the 1955 setting of the game, he’s a staple of the community. He lives in Apartment 01 on the first floor. When he shows up at your window, he should be wearing a very specific white milkman uniform, a cap, and a look of utter exhaustion.
The real Francis has a very distinct, almost drooping face. It’s a long face. His eyes are heavy-lidded. He looks bored, honestly. If you see a Francis who looks too happy or, conversely, looks like he’s melting into the floorboards, you’ve got a problem. You’ve got a doppelgänger.
Spotting the That’s Not My Neighbor Milkman Imposter
Identifying a doppelgänger isn't always about seeing a second head or a mouth where an ear should be. Sometimes it's subtle. The That’s Not My Neighbor milkman doppelgängers are notorious for testing your attention to detail.
First, look at the ID card. The ID number for Francis Mosses is 456872130495. I’ve seen players glance at it and think "yeah, looks like a bunch of numbers," only to realize too late that the doppelgänger swapped two digits in the middle. If even one digit is wrong, hit that alarm. Don't hesitate.
Then there’s the entry request form. Does he have the right apartment number? Is the "reason for entry" actually "milk delivery" or did he write something weird? Sometimes the monsters get lazy. They’ll put down that they live in an apartment that doesn't exist, or they’ll forget to bring their papers entirely.
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Common Physical Glitches
While some doppelgängers are perfect copies, many have "physical anomalies." This is where the game gets gross. For the milkman, keep an eye out for:
- Too many eyes. This is a classic. If Francis has a third eye on his forehead, he isn't there to deliver 2%.
- The "Flawless" Skin. Sometimes the doppelgänger looks too good. If he’s missing his signature eyebags or wrinkles, he’s a fake.
- The Wrong Hat Logo. The milkman’s cap has a specific emblem. If it’s missing, or if it’s a different shape, he’s a monster.
- Blood. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many players overlook a small bloodstain on a collar when they’re rushing to finish a shift.
Why Francis Mosses Became a Meme
The internet has a weird way of latching onto specific characters. Francis Mosses, despite being a potential harbinger of your doom, has become the "unintentional heartthrob" of the game. Fans have created endless fan art and TikToks dedicated to the tired milkman.
Why? It’s probably the "I'm just done with life" aesthetic. We can all relate to a guy who is just trying to do his job while the world falls apart around him. But in the context of the game, that popularity is a trap. Players get comfortable with him. They see the milkman and think, "Oh, it's just Francis," and they stop checking the documents. That’s exactly when the doppelgänger strikes.
The developer, Nacho Sama, really leaned into the 1950s aesthetic, and Francis is the peak of that design. He fits the era perfectly. He looks like he belongs in a black-and-white sitcom, right until he unhinges his jaw to reveal rows of needle-sharp teeth.
The Mathematical Probability of Survival
Let's get technical for a second. In That's Not My Neighbor, the difficulty ramps up based on how many neighbors you've successfully identified. The That’s Not My Neighbor milkman appears randomly, but his doppelgängers become more sophisticated as the game progresses.
In the early stages, an imposter might show up with a literal hole in his face. Easy. Later on, the only way to catch him is by cross-referencing his name on the daily guest list or calling his apartment to see if the real Francis answers the phone.
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Pro Tip: Always use the phone. If you’re unsure, call Apartment 01. If the real Francis Mosses picks up and says he’s in bed, the "Francis" standing in front of you is a monster.
There is no penalty for being thorough, but there is a massive penalty for being wrong. If you let a doppelgänger in, the game ends with a grizzly screen showing the "cleansing" of the building. You don't want that on your conscience.
The Lore of the D.D.D.
To understand why catching the milkman doppelgänger is so important, you have to look at the world-building. The Doppelgänger Detection Department (D.D.D.) isn't just a government agency; they're the only thing standing between humanity and total assimilation.
The game implies that these creatures aren't just mimics—they’re predators. They don't just want to live in your apartment; they want to replace you. When you’re checking the That’s Not My Neighbor milkman, you aren't just a security guard. You’re a filter.
There’s a darker theory among the community that the D.D.D. might not be the "good guys" either. Why is this happening? Why are there so many monsters? The game stays tight-lipped, which only adds to the tension. Every time Francis walks up to that glass, you're reminded that the world outside your booth is deeply, fundamentally broken.
How to Handle a Positive Identification
So, you’ve caught him. The "milkman" in front of you has six fingers on his left hand. What do you do?
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- Don't panic. He can't get through the glass... yet.
- Close the security shutter. This is your first line of defense.
- Press the red button. This alerts the D.D.D.
- Wait for the "cleaning." You’ll hear some unpleasant noises outside.
- Clean the glass. Once the D.D.D. is done, you're expected to get back to work.
It’s a cold, clinical process. The game doesn't give you a medal. It just gives you the next neighbor.
Breaking Down the Difficulty Spikes
If you're playing on the harder modes, like "Nightmare," the milkman becomes a true test of memory. In standard mode, you can usually rely on the checklist. In Nightmare, the doppelgängers can actually manipulate the documents or present "convincing" excuses for why their ID looks a bit off.
I’ve seen Francis doppelgängers claim they lost their hat, or that their ID was damaged in a "milk spill." Don't fall for it. The rules are absolute. If the document doesn't match the record, they don't get in. Period.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Shift
If you want to survive a full week in That’s Not My Neighbor and keep your neighbors (and yourself) alive, follow this specific workflow every time the milkman appears.
- Check the Hat First: It’s the highest point of the character model and the easiest to see immediately. No hat? No entry.
- The Nostril Count: It sounds silly, but doppelgängers frequently mess up basic facial symmetry. Check that he has two nostrils and that his ears are level.
- The Paperwork Shuffle: Don't just look at the ID. Check the entry request against the daily list. The milkman should always be on the list if he's working.
- The Phone Call is King: If you have even a 1% doubt, call the apartment. It takes five seconds and is the only 100% foolproof way to verify an identity.
- Watch the Eyes: The real Francis Mosses has a very specific "tired" look. If the character’s eyes are wide open or darting around frantically, it’s a predatory mimic trying to look human.
By focusing on these specific details, you turn a high-stress horror game into a manageable puzzle. The That’s Not My Neighbor milkman is a gateway to understanding the game's mechanics—once you can reliably spot a fake Francis, you can spot a fake anyone. Stay sharp, check the dates, and for the love of everything, don't let the monsters in just because you're thirsty for milk.
The best way to improve is through repetition. Spend a few rounds specifically focusing on the facial structures of the "confirmed" neighbors in your folder. Memorize the shape of Francis's jawline and the specific curve of his cap. When the imposter finally shows up with a slightly-too-square chin, you'll catch it instantly. Efficiency in this game comes from knowing what "normal" looks like so well that "wrong" jumps out at you like a neon sign. Keep your logs updated, keep the alarm ready, and remember that the D.D.D. is watching your performance just as closely as you're watching the neighbors. Outsmarting the mimics is the only way to see the next morning.