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Music drama

Coda (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Coda (2020) movie poster

Coda is a 2020 music drama directed by Claude Lalonde, starring Patrick Stewart as Henry Cole, Katie Holmes and Beat Marti. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $2.6 million worldwide on a $2.8 million budget. Critics gave it 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
62%
worldwide gross
$2.6M
Echo Score
69
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Coda (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Claude Lalonde
Genres
Drama , Music
Original language
English
Budget
$2.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Coda About?

The premise of Coda without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A celebrated pianist, Jack struggles with debilitating stage fright that has ended his career. He encounters Eve, a vibrant and unconventional music critic, who challenges him to rediscover his passion and artistic drive. Through their connection, he is compelled to examine the sacrifices he’s made and the profound impact of art in overcoming personal obstacles.

Coda Themes & Keywords

· 15 tags
  • classical pianist
  • grieving widower
  • older man younger woman romance
  • older man younger woman love
  • older man younger woman relationship
  • man girl relationship
  • free spirited woman
  • famous musician
  • female music critic
  • stage fright
  • cameo
  • bald man
+3 more
  • piano
  • train
  • the new yorker
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Cast & crew

Coda Cast & Characters

Patrick Stewart leads the cast as Henry Cole, with Katie Holmes as Helen Morrison and Beat Marti as Beethoven. Directed by Claude Lalonde; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Coda

· 6 more
Ratings

Coda Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Coda 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (50).

69 /100

Coda Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall film experience, Coda excels in visual and auditory presentation while exhibiting uneven narrative momentum and character exploration. The cinematography and classical score consistently receive praise for their lyrical qualities, yet the pacing and script simplicity divide opinions on engagement. Performances are noted as compelling but sometimes lack deeper resonance. This balance of strengths and limitations results in a moderately positive but restrained impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    Art & Craft component presents visually striking imagery through scenic compositions and understated design. Reviews highlight the film’s beautiful landscapes and cohesive production design, while a few note that abrupt editing choices disrupt the flow. In terms of direction and cinematography, the film offers evocative framing but suffers occasional inconsistency in montage. Overall, the visual craftsmanship impresses despite sporadic editing unevenness.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    Character development in Coda benefits from solid performances, particularly from the leads, delivering genuine chemistry and emotional understatement. Observers praise the naturalistic interactions and committed portrayals, yet mention that limited dialogue and subdued backstories constrain deeper resonance. In terms of acting and emotional connection, the film offers nuanced moments but leaves certain relationships feeling underexplored. Overall, character depth remains modest.

  • Story & Flow 50

    When it comes to story and flow, Coda adopts a deliberately simple and contemplative structure that some find engaging and others perceive as listless. The film’s pacing is measured, allowing reflective moments but occasionally stalling narrative momentum. Observers note an absence of dramatic events, leading to mixed impressions of originality and coherence. Ultimately, the storyline maintains a gentle rhythm but lacks sustained dynamism.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In terms of sensory experience, Coda delivers a richly layered auditory and visual atmosphere anchored by a classical score and lyrical sound design. The film’s musical selections receive consistent acclaim for enhancing emotional tone, while the visual style is praised for its cohesive color palette and elegant framing. Although the prominence of music can overpower sparse dialogue at times, the overall soundscape and imagery remain a principal strength.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Regarding rewatch value, Coda offers a calm and sincere tone that may appeal on subsequent viewings through its musical artistry and scenic compositions. Some viewers appreciate rediscovering subtle emotional cues and the film’s understated charm, but the restrained pacing and limited plot developments reduce broader incentives to revisit. In terms of lasting appeal, the film retains moderate enjoyment for those receptive to its reflective sensibility.

Plot

Coda Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Coda from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Henry Cole is an acclaimed classical pianist at the twilight of his career. He returns to the stage after a long absence following the death of his wife, only to discover that his performance is marred by stage fright and overall mental instability. He barely escapes catastrophe as he suffers an anxiety attack on stage, running outside after finishing a number and smoking a cigarette.

At a post-recital press conference, he meets Helen Morrison, a music critic for The New Yorker. She wants to write a story about him and unsuccessfully asks for an interview. They meet again a few days later at Steinway Hall, where Henry suffers another episode while attempting to perform. Helen rescues him in extremis and earns his trust. Henry finally agrees to the interview.

Full summary

The whole story of Coda, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Coda Box Office & Budget

Coda grossed $2.6 million worldwide on a $2.8 million budget, 93% of what it cost.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.6M

93% of its budget back

International
$2.6M
Budget
$2.8M
Videos

Coda Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Coda.

CODA Official Trailer (2020) Katie Holmes, Patrick Stewart Movie HD
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Coda?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What instrument does Henry Cole play?

Cars

Cars in Coda

11 cars on screen, including the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban and the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS C218.

All 11 cars
  • 2015 Chevrolet Suburban in Coda 2015 Chevrolet Suburban Minor role
  • 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS C218 in Coda 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS C218 Minor role
  • 2010 Subaru Legacy in Coda 2010 Subaru Legacy Minor role
  • 2007 Volkswagen Eos Typ 1F in Coda 2007 Volkswagen Eos Typ 1F Minor role

Seen Coda?

FAQ

Coda FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Coda, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Coda?

Coda runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Coda released?

Coda was released on January 31, 2020.

Who directed Coda?

Coda was directed by Claude Lalonde.

More films by Claude Lalonde

Who is in the cast of Coda?

Coda stars Patrick Stewart as Henry Cole, Katie Holmes as Helen Morrison and Beat Marti as Beethoven, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Coda make at the box office?

Coda grossed $2.6 million worldwide on a budget of $2.8 million.

How is Coda rated?

Coda has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60% on TMDB and 3.9/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Coda have a post-credit scene?

No. Coda has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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