Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family's fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her love of music and her fear of abandoning her parents.
CODA is an emotionally resonant remake of La Famille Bélier that earns its reputation largely through its performances — particularly Troy Kotsur's Oscar-winning turn and the authentic deaf cast. The acting category is genuinely exceptional, with the deaf family members bringing warmth, humor, and depth that elevate familiar material. The plot, however, is a well-worn coming-of-age/family-vs-dream structure with few surprises, and as a remake its novelty score suffers — it recycles rather than reinvents. Cinematography is functional and TV-movie-adjacent, serviceable but unremarkable. The ending is satisfying and earned emotionally if somewhat predictable in its resolution.