‘The Coffee Table’ Blu-Ray Review – Uniquely Disturbing Nightmare Should Be Experienced Blind

Jesus and María 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.

For thoughts on The Coffee Table, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: 

Video Quality

The Coffee Table makes its domestic Blu-Ray debut with a very strong 1080p video presentation that replicates the film without issue. The image is crisp with the complex, nuanced color palette saturating the screen. The film supplies some deep colors within the lighting that conjures a distinct atmosphere.  The skin tones are natural with a stellar amount of detail present in close-ups. The production design and clothing provide exceptional textural details that make the experience more upsetting. The presentation shows off a significant amount of depth in the apartment even in shadowy enclaves. Black levels reveal the smallest slight signs of banding in a few moments, but they largely retain their depth. This Blu-Ray is a substantial representation of this movie that should more than please fans. 

Audio Quality

Cinephobia Releasing gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that is faithfully realized throughout the narrative. Dialogue flows through clearly without being encumbered by any competing sounds. The music is tonally effective and deftly balanced while maintaining its fidelity. There is a bit of texture in the lower registers when it comes to some of the bass in the music. Environmental sounds engage the surround speakers with unique ambient details that flesh out the setting. The results are impressive with the nimble sound design springing to life. The audio track captures the complexities that make this narrative a reality. This film is presented in the original Spanish with optional English and English SDH subtitles. 

Special Features

• Audio Commentaries: A pair of commentary tracks are provided that approach the film from two different perspectives. In the director commentary track, you get a personal exploration in which he discusses the background of the production, collaborating with the performers, the aesthetic of the film, and more. The other track takes a more analytical approach that gives a lot of context to what you are seeing on screen and the background of the creative figures. 

• • Audio Commentary #1: Director and co-writer Caye Casas

• • Audio Commentary #2: Erica Shultz, author of The Sweetest Taboo: An Unapologetic Guide to Child Kills in Film and Lance Shibi of the Unsung Horrors podcast

• Interview with Director and Co-writer Caye Casas: A 28-minute interview with the writer/director is provided in which he discusses how he developed the project, the journey of the film on the festival circuit, reactions to the film, working with the performers, and more. 

• Making Of Documentary: A 13-minute piece in which the cast and creative team delve into the production of the film, the qualities of the characters, and more. 

• Original Trailer: The minute-and-a-half-long trailer is provided. 

• Still Gallery: A minute-and-a-half-long collection of moments from the production. 

• Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring an essay from film critic Sam Cohen is provided that explores the work of Caye Casas, the thematic content of the film, and more. 

Final Thoughts

The Coffee Table is one of the most uniquely fearless films we have seen in a while. The film is extremely disturbing yet manages to mine the premise for some dark comedy to bring some levity to the horrific developments. The construction of the narrative leaves the pacing a bit unevenly balanced, yet these minor criticisms do not take away from the impressive nature of the feature. Cinephobia Releasing has released a Blu-Ray featuring a great A/V presentation and a decent selection of special features. If you have a twisted sense of humor, go into this one blind and give it a shot. Recommended 

The Coffee Table is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Cinephobia Releasing and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.