The Coffee Table – Second Sight Blu-ray Review

Right then. You know how sometimes a film starts off like a standard domestic drama and you’re just settling in, maybe thinking “this’ll be a bit of a slow-burner”—and then WHAM. The film veers into pure existential chaos? The Coffee Table is that film. A pitch-black comedy that makes you laugh, then immediately wonder if you should be seeking therapy

We meet Jesús and María, a couple who’ve just had a baby. They’re tired. Frayed. The kind of couple who bicker about IKEA purchases like it’s a blood sport. When Jesús insists on buying an ugly, gaudy coffee table (which he thinks looks posh), it sets off a butterfly effect that spirals into one of the most gut-wrenching, jaw-dropping sequences I’ve seen in years. No spoilers here—but when that thing happens (you’ll know it when you see it), you’ll audibly gasp. Might even swear. I did. Loudly as did everyone else in the cinema.

And then… the silence. The creeping dread. The horrible awkwardness of not knowing what the hell to do next.

The performances are superb across this domestic horror. David Pareja is superb as Jesús—a man slowly crumbling under the weight of a single, irreversible mistake. He plays it straight, which is what makes it so agonising. Estefanía de los Santos as María is equally compelling, exuding a kind of brittle tension you just know is going to snap. Then there’s young Gala Flores playing the young neighbour, she’s a mini cougar who adds even more madness to proceedings. Oh and let’s not forget Eduardo Antuña as the salesman. He simply gobbles up every scene he’s in. “I’m not lying to you. I almost never lie to my customers.”

It’s almost like watching a Mike Leigh drama directed by Michael Haneke—only with the morbid slapstick timing of a Greek tragedy performed by clowns. Think Mother! but in a two-bed flat with terrible interior design.

Director Caye Casas manages to pull off a tonal high-wire act. He uses long takes, cramped spaces, and that awful, glaring coffee table like a psychological weapon. The tension builds not through music or flashy cuts, but through awkward silences, uncomfortable glances, and the awful mundanity of modern domestic life and a largely broken marriage. It makes you feel the horror of being trapped. In your own flat. In your own guilt. In your own relationship.

What’s so chilling—and brilliant—is how the film mines terror not from ghosts or killers, but from the ordinary. It’s not “boo!” scary. It’s “oh no, oh NO” scary. It’s a spiralling anxiety dream wrapped in bubble wrap and denial.

It’s about consequences, inaction, the moments we wish we could undo and the awful truth that sometimes… you just have to live with it.

Second Sight have done a superb job with this release, the picture looks superb with nice contrast and the almost mud like feeling of the interiors that help build that tension really comes through. The audio is also great here, with the score crackling through your bones and nice clear dialogue, even if you’re not fluent in Spanish.

As always with Second Sight, you can expect some phenomenal extras and this set doesn’t disappoint.

Audio Commentary by Zoë Rose Smith and Amber T – Amber T, writer for Fangoria and Zoë Rose Smith writer and friend of the sick film are here to discuss the movie. I’m not the biggest fan of commentaries without cast and crew involvement. I don’t particularly like the way this commentary starts, it feels a little “lets talk about us” a bit much but I guess this will make you decide if you want to spend the next 90 minutes with them in your ear. I know we’re in the era of the podcast, but this commentary feels far too much like a podcast episode. If you agree with either of their opinions you’ll probably enjoy it more otherwise it’s just unwanted distraction from the film.

What Scares Us the most: an interview with Director Caye Casas – 23 minutes interview with Caye Casas well shot, great sound this is the usual talking head style interview with imagery interspersed throughout. He introduces in English to say his English is no good and then continues in Spanish with English subs. He discusses the making of the film, casting, pulling in favours on a micro budget and how issues like a flood and flu affecting filming an already tight 10 day shoot (will this become known as a cursed film?). Really interesting and being subbed means you need to pay attention, no fiddling with your phone during this great little extra.

A Sensory Journey: an interview with Actor David Pareja – 15 minutes with David Pareja who plays Jesús in the film. Spanish with subs. It’s interesting to hear him discuss how the script was great, but didn’t strike as funny until he watched the film scenes as a spectator. It’s the situations that make those comedic beats. Another great little interview.

We Are All Nuts: an interview with Actor Estefanía de los Santos – O.K. you get the idea now. This is another superb, slightly shorter at 12 minutes, interview in Spanish with subs. Estefanía is really animated and discusses the script and filming with great passion. She does’t even like horror.

Natural Oppression: an interview with Director of Photography Alberto Morago – I like how Second Sight often pack a load of these fantastic interviews onto their discs, and each one gets slightly shorter. This one’s just 11 minutes with Alberto. He discusses defining the visuals of the film, how they wanted to make “the event” more organic and less explicit. I think you’ll agree his vision was brought to the screen beautifully. Touches on shooting with a small crew on a tight deadline. Great insight into the making of the film.

Postpartum: Rebecca Sayce on The Coffee Table – Just shy of 20 minutes in the company of the voice of Rebecca, Entertainment journalist and film critic. This is one of those “thesis read over clips” that Second Sight do so well. I struggled with this one, at times it felt like she was reading this and stumbled over her own words as she was rushing. I’m not sure if this is just an editing thing or if there was just no time for a second read-through but it was a shame as she was pretty interesting look into the underlying theme of post natal depression in the film.

Caye Casas Short film: RIP – In this darkly comic tale a wife has gone to a lot of trouble organising the perfect send off for her husband, so when he “wakes” at his wake what will she do? The humour is darker than dark, the performances superbly grotesque and the story is just the right side of bat shit crazy. Such a great inclusion to this fantastic set.

Caye Casas Short film: Nada S.A – For several years, with no success, Carlos has been looking for a job. Finally, one day, he finds a very special company called “NOTHING”. They’re offering a job where you will be paid for doing nothing. Carlos gets the job, but that day his life will turn upside down. This is uncomfortable to watch in the best way, genuinely weird. Genuinely funny because it’s genuinely weird, and genuinely how it feels to grind the 9 to 5.

Bold, bleak, and beautifully disturbing, The Coffee Table walks the tightrope between absurd comedy and soul-crushing tragedy with masterful precision. It’s a must have for genre fans, if only to force your mates to watch it and witness their slow descent into psychological disarray. It’s the kind of film you watch once, then re-watch with someone else just to see their reaction. Ideal for a twisted movie night. Not for the faint of heart—but absolutely essential for fans of daring cinema that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Simply put, if you’ve not seen The Coffee Table and you like your comedy blacker than tar, or your horror as disturbing as watching your nan tickle your dad then this superb set is for you. If on the other hand you don’t like either, but you’ve bought other Second Sight releases and have become addicted, then just like a Rörret Coffee Table this is one oddity you need in your house.

The Coffee Table Limited Edition Blu-ray is available to pre order now ahead of it’s release on 28th April