The Coffee Table

Short review: I've always loved the concept of one small decision changing everything in a massive way. We were actually warned by the director before watching this film not to watch it. I thought to myself, I've seen the worst of the worst, how bad could it be? This isn't a film like 'A Serbian Film' or 'Hostel' that sets out with no purpose other than to shock you as much as possible. But this film will drain you and have you thinking long after the credits roll.

There are a couple of moments of humour in the film, and they are genuinely funny moments, but because of the subject and tone of the film you feel like a monster if you laugh. I can't remember experiencing that before.

This is an emotionally draining film and not one that is designed for everyone to watch. However if you are game I think you will find it both rewarding and memorable. 8/10.

This movie is more devastating and shocking than every horror movie i have watched, except for MARTYRS (the original). I don't know if i should recommend it because, make no mistake, as it is unfolding, it's almost unbearable to watch. If you are the type of person that can't stand horrifying movies or else they get nightmares, don't watch it. There are no flesh eating monsters here, there are no masked killers, there is not even violence. Not even depraved/deranged characters. I won't say anything else in order to avoid spoilers.

There is a comedy element indeed here, but it's so dark and bleak that it's gonna make you feel guilty when you feel it. I am not gonna lie, i laughed a few times during the first 30 minutes. However, this is not a dark comedy. This is a psychological drama thriller, anxiety-inducing as a movie can be. As it was getting closer to the end, i literally wished for time to run faster because i couldn't stand it anymore. And i am not that sensitive, i love dark comedy and horror movies, i can watch almost anything.

I gave it a high rating because this is an unforgettable experience. For a guy who has watched thousands of movies, this is a great praise for a movie. This is a well acted and well directed movie that i won't forget soon.

An older couple who recently had their first child buys a coffee table but not without much argument. The husband pushes through with buying the table he likes, a decision which will change their lives in ways they couldn't have imagined. This film had its moments, disturbing in fact, but the film didn't come through as being well-thought-of. Another big issue was the story being dragged to reach 1 hour and 31 minutes of runtime. It would have been effective as a short.

The positives. The acting was, overall, good. The plot was easy to follow. The filmmakers clearly wanted the viewers to feel uneasy and they were successful in that.

The negatives. Aside from the plot being dragged to a full-length film, there were some questionable behavior here. A character had so much patience in spite of something happening. Another character was unbelievable to be that way and I don't see an objective reason story-wise to have a character like that. I felt like the filmmakers just had a brainstorming session about all the things they find to be disturbing and put it all in a single movie, and I don't think that's the right way to go.

Also, the characters are not likable. The wife, though she makes more sense, wants to have her way all the time. The husband, I'm sorry, was stupid in a lot of things. Another character, I felt was made just for shock value. There's another two characters who were more likable than the leads in my opinion.

Another thing is the genre. Why does it have comedy as one? There's nothing funny in this film. It's not a black comedy either. That's perplexing.

This film could have been a punch if it was a short movie instead and if there were no subplots that didn't add value to the main story. This is not the first film that has "to disturb" as it's first priority, but this one felt like it was made just for that. It was also draggy and I wanted to fast forward to the end. Watch if you want but there are better, more thought-out, disturbing movies than this one.

Not at all what I was expecting. I got the impression from people's remarks when this first hit streaming services that this would be some new trash shocker in a category with films like The Human Centipede and/or A Siberian Film, however it is nothing like that. While both of those films have their share of underlying humor, The Coffee Table is almost entirely almost humorless, and attempts to take one idea and stretch it out into a feature length film.

Unfortunately, a rather creative concept and some admirable acting performances are tainted by a film that's entire second half has virtually no worthwhile elements, and seems to simply draw itself out until it's long enough to be a feature length. The entire second half of the film is nothing but meaningless dialogue between 4 characters that in no way furthers the story, or ups any tension or intrigue - instead it actually slowly diminishes the tension as the runtime progresses, and by the time the finale hits, it is very difficult to actually feel anything for any of the characters. While the characters are relatively realistic archetypes, none of them are especially likable - so there aren't a lot of emotive stakes when the film's chaos ensues.

But, massive flaws aside, I have a bit of respect for The Coffee Table, for its ambition, creativity, and commitment, however it is not a very good movie, and I think it might take it self a bit too seriously. But, who knows, maybe it's someone's true story?

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I didn't know much about the movie, just enough to be curious. The movie gets to the point fast, there's no time wasted and out of nowhere boom the nightmare is on. If you are into tense, atmospheric, anxiety inducing movies, go watch it, you will find yourself in a tour of hell.

I am sure from now on whenever I will hear or see anything related to coffee tables my heart will stop for a second. Also, I have recently become a father which contributed tremendously to how I experienced the movie.