- Director: Caye Casas
- Writer: Cristina Borobia, Caye Casas
- Stars: David Pareja, Estefanía de los Santos, Josep Maria Riera, Claudia Riera
REVIEW
Cursed objects have long been a subject both in horror and throughout history. In The Coffee Table, it’s the titular piece of furniture that brings the bad luck upon the new family. With newborn and a rocky marriage, the object puts a strain on an already volatile relationship. When something happens involving the table, a decent into an anxiety laden prison begins.
Instead of being played for abject horror, The Coffee Table is almost the darkest of comedies. In an attempt to hide what happened with the table, Jesús (Pareja) goes to some lengths to prevent anyone else from finding out. In any other circumstances this would be funny, in fact this kind of comedy film (A main character tries ever outlandish methods to hide the truth) has been done many times, but in The Coffee Table it is shocking.
The use of sound also plays a strong part in the film, not so much in the soundtrack but in the effects, and in one particular scene it is the worst ASMR you’ve ever heard and instead of relaxation it provides stomach churning anxiety. From the incident onwards, the film climbs the anxiety and horror ladder, with each rung giving you another level of punishment. Like Dante’s Inferno and the nine levels of hell, The Coffee Table offers you a glimpse into each level. When Jesús’ wife María (de los Santos) chides him for purchasing the coffee table and that it was karma getting him back, her raspy laugh sounds like the cackle of a witch, the way her laughter is amplified later on in the film, makes it sound almost other worldly.
The acting is great from everyone, especially Pareja, who is written as a terrible person in a terrible situation, yet he manages to make you feel for him, even in the smallest amount. When Jesús brother Carlos (Riera) and his girlfriend Cristina come around for lunch, Director Caye Casas makes us sit with these people, we the audience knowing what they don’t, and it makes for a pure feel-bad film. The writing is great as well, ratcheting up the tense nature of every conversation in the film.
The finale doesn’t spare us either. It’s brutal, cruel film making. It’s also a well-made and well-acted film, so if you’ve got the emotional fortitude, The Coffee Table is waiting for you.
The Coffee Table will be available on VOD May 3, 2024 from Cinephobia Releasing. (Check the Just Watch app below for other ways to watch it)
Ryan Morrissey-Smith
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