The film CODA (2021) is a coming-of-age story about a hearing girl and her deaf family. While the arc of the story has the stereotypical beats of a teenage coming-of-age drama, it also explores the dynamics of growing up and letting go. Many Christians might resonate with the main protagonist Ruby’s parents that she must do “her part,” as a loving daughter to forsake pursuing her college dreams and remain home to be the interpreter for deaf parents and brother who need to run their fishing business. At the end of the day, somebody in her family is going to have to sacrifice something. That’s the drama of the film CODA, and that’s the drama of the Christian life as well.

This Postmodern Realities episode is a conversation with Journal author Cole Burgett  about about his online-exclusive, “Growing Up and Letting Go in CODA. **Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers for CODA.**

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