Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

CODA is that rare gem that's both critically acclaimed AND genuinely moving—the 94% RT score isn't hype. It won Best Picture at the Oscars for good reason: authentic deaf representation, a nuanced family story, and a lead performance that'll wreck you.

But let's be real: this is NOT a family movie night pick if you've got younger kids. The fishing crew's sexual banter is relentless and explicit, and there's enough strong language that you'll be doing damage control. It's firmly PG-13 territory.

For teens though? Gold. It's a masterclass in showing rather than telling—you'll learn more about deaf culture and the CODA experience in two hours than most people learn in a lifetime. Ruby's struggle between her dreams and her family's needs is handled without melodrama, and the film never treats her parents' deafness as either a tragedy or an inspiration-porn triumph. They're just... people. Flawed, funny, loving people.

The music scenes hit different when you realize Ruby is experiencing something her family literally cannot share, and the film makes you FEEL that divide. Bring tissues. This one earns its emotional moments.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13+ who can handle mature language and sexual humor. The emotional complexity and authentic family dynamics will resonate most with teens navigating their own identity vs. family expectations.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Models deep family bonds, sacrifice, and mutual support. Ruby's struggle between personal dreams and family duty is handled with nuance and emotional maturity. The deaf family members are portrayed with dignity and authenticity. Some mature themes around sexual content and language keep it from being universally wholesome, but the core message about choosing your path while honoring your roots is beautiful.

Imaginative

72

While not fantastical, CODA offers a unique perspective by centering a deaf family's experience authentically. The film invites viewers into a world many haven't experienced—communicating through ASL, navigating a hearing world as a deaf person, and the specific challenges of being a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Ruby's musical journey provides creative expression, though the overall narrative follows a fairly conventional coming-of-age arc.

Safe

65

Contains mature content that makes it inappropriate for younger viewers: explicit sexual conversations and jokes (the family's fishing business banter is quite crude), some strong language, and a scene with brief sexual content. The film earned its PG-13 equivalent rating honestly. No graphic violence or trauma, but the mature humor and themes mean parents should preview before younger teens watch. The emotional conflict could be intense for sensitive kids.

Enriching

90

Exceptional empathy-building through authentic deaf representation (cast includes actual deaf actors). Explores complex themes: disability without inspiration porn, family obligation vs. personal dreams, communication beyond words, and finding your voice (literally and figuratively). The 94% RT critic score and 8/10 IMDB rating reflect its emotional depth. Teaches about deaf culture, ASL, and the CODA experience while delivering a genuinely moving story about identity and belonging.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuine representation: actual deaf actors playing deaf characters, offering an authentic window into deaf culture and the CODA experience
Explores the beautiful mess of family obligation vs. personal dreams without easy answers—Ruby's conflict feels real and earned
Teaches ASL naturally throughout the story while building empathy for communication differences
The music isn't just background—it's central to understanding what Ruby experiences that her family cannot
Balances heavy themes with humor (though some is definitely adult-oriented)

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What to Watch For

The family's fishing crew banter is CRUDE—lots of explicit sexual jokes and conversations that will make you squirm if watching with younger kids
Brief sexual content and strong language throughout (this isn't a Disney version of this story)
The emotional weight of Ruby's choice could be intense—she's essentially choosing between abandoning her family or abandoning herself
Some kids might need context about why Ruby's parents can't just 'learn to manage' without her—the ableism and real barriers deaf people face

Conversation Starters

"What would you do in Ruby's situation—follow your dream or stay with family who needs you? Is there a 'right' answer?"
"How does the movie show communication happening beyond just words? What did you notice about how the family connects?"
"Why do you think Ruby's parents initially don't support her music? What changes their minds?"
"What surprised you about deaf culture or the CODA experience? What assumptions did you have going in?"
"The movie shows how Ruby sometimes has to be the 'adult' for her parents in hearing situations—what do you think that's like for a teenager?"

Deep Dive

It is easy to dismiss Oscar winners as "prestige" movies that feel like a homework assignment. CODA is the opposite. It is a loud, messy, salt-of-the-earth drama that happens to have a 94% Rotten Tomatoes critic score. It is one of those Best Picture winners that actually feels like a movie people want to watch on a Friday night, rather than a trophy magnet designed for critics.

The "Interpreter" Burden

The central tension here isn't just about a girl who wants to sing; it’s about the specific friction of being a Child of Deaf Adults. Ruby isn't just a daughter; she is a business asset. Because she is the only hearing member of her family, she has been their primary link to the hearing world since she was a toddler.

The movie captures the weight of that responsibility without being preachy. When Ruby wants to go to college, she isn't just "leaving home"—she is effectively taking away her family's ability to communicate with the fishing industry that keeps them fed. If you have a teenager who feels like they are carrying the emotional load of the household, or if you’re navigating that tricky transition toward independence, this is one of the best coming-of-age stories for sparking a conversation about where family loyalty ends and self-preservation begins.

The "Crude" Reality

The PG-13 rating is doing some heavy lifting here. The "What to watch for" bullets mention the banter, but let’s be specific: the parents in this movie are incredibly uninhibited. They are a deeply in-love couple who happen to be deaf, and their lack of "volume control" in both their physical and signed communication is a recurring theme.

There are scenes involving graphic discussions of medical issues and sex lives that will make some parents (and most teens) want to crawl into a hole. It isn't "dirty" for the sake of being edgy; it’s a realistic look at a family that has no secrets because they’ve had to rely on each other for everything. If your family has a high "cringe" threshold for sexual humor, you’ll be fine. If not, this is a "watch on your own laptop" recommendation for your teen rather than a living room event.

Authentic Representation

We see a lot of movies with characters with disabilities, but they often fall into the "inspiration porn" trap where the character exists just to teach a hearing person a lesson. CODA avoids this completely. The deaf characters are allowed to be hilarious, stubborn, and occasionally selfish.

By using actual deaf actors, the film gives us a masterclass in representation that resonates. You aren't watching a hearing actor "play" deaf; you’re watching a family dynamic that feels lived-in and authentic. The film uses ASL as a primary language, and some of the most powerful scenes are the ones where the sound drops out entirely, forcing the audience to experience the world as Ruby’s parents do.

The Apple TV+ Context

If you’re already paying for the subscription, this is the crown jewel of the Apple TV+ family movie library. It’s a high-water mark for the platform.

If your kid liked Sing Street: They will love the musical discovery and the "outsider" energy.
If they liked Lady Bird: They will recognize the "I love you but I need to get away from you" mother-daughter friction.
If they liked Sound of Metal: This offers a much more hopeful, community-focused look at the deaf experience.

It earns its IMDb 8 and every bit of its hype. Just be ready for the sign-language jokes about jock itch. You’ve been warned.

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