One of the scariest “non-horror” horror films of the 2020s is heading to streaming.
The Coffee Table
, from director Caye Casas, who co-wrote this twisted monster of a horror, thriller, black comedy with Cris Borobia,
will stream on 
Shudder
starting February 24, giving genre fans one more reason to pay for the horror-exclusive platform. A Spanish production,
The Coffee Table was released in 2022 on the festival circuit, but it didn’t get too much attention at the time. The director even planned to distribute it himself outside Spain, where his movie went on a very limited theatrical run. It wasn’t until seminal horror author
Stephen King
praised the film on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Casas’ film gained the notoriety it deserved.
King’s post (which can’t be seen anymore since the horror author recently decided to leave the social media platform) read, “There’s a Spanish movie called THE COFFEE TABLE on Amazon Prime and Apple+. My guess is you have never, not once in your whole life, seen a movie as black as this one. It’s horrible and also horribly funny. Think the Coen Brothers’ darkest dream.”
My guess is you have never, not once in your whole life, seen a movie as black as this one. It’s horrible and also horribly funny.
Mick Garris, famed horror director and one of the filmmakers who has adapted several of King’s works, also had something to say about The Coffee Table. And his recommendation about going into the film blind is the perfect advice. “I went to several film festivals this year, and out of all the outstanding films I saw, the one that stands out most is this one—English title: THE COFFEE TABLE. You should NOT know anything about it before you see it…” he said via X/Twitter.
‘The Coffee Table’ Is Easily One of the Most Disturbing Movies in Recent Years
The Coffee Table follows a couple who have recently become parents of a beautiful baby boy. However, their marriage is going through a rough patch. To help, they agree to do something together – purchase a coffee table for their apartment. Jesús decides on a very controversial one that María doesn’t love, but he goes ahead and puchases the tabel anyway. A decision which results in some seriously horrific consequences. Per the official synopsis for The Coffee Table:
Jesús and Maria are a couple going through a difficult time in their relationship. Nevertheless, they have just become parents. To shape their new life, they decide to buy a new coffee table. A decision that will change their existence forever.
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As Garris said, it’s much better if you go into the film knowing as little as possible. This is fairly difficult nowadays when information is available everywhere, and trailers often give away far too much. Nevertheless, if you can avoid reading anything about The Coffee Table, please do so. You’ll appreciate the advice. And the shock will be much, much stronger.
The Coffee Table is not exactly a horror film. But what happens in the movie is pretty horrific, even by the genre’s most extreme standards. Is it “funny,” as King says? It’s hard not to laugh at some moments when the absurd second act goes in directions you couldn’t possibly imagine. There’s only one thing you need to know: there are some things you’re not supposed to do in horror, and Casas’ film does one of them. With gusto. But that’s exactly what makes his horror piece such an unforgettable experience.
The Coffee Table
- Release Date
-
March 14, 2024
- Runtime
-
91 Minutes
- Cast
-
David Pareja
, Estefania de los Santos
, Josep Maria Riera
, Claudia Riera
, Eduardo Antuna
, Gala Flores
, Cristina Dilla
, Itziar Castro - Main Genre
-
Horror