The Ending Of CODA Explained

As Ruby's song (and the montage) begin to die down, we watch as the entire Rossi family anxiously waits on a computer to see whether or not Ruby made it into Berklee. As the song wraps up, we cut to a shot of Ruby running up to her music teacher Mr. V (Eugenio Derbez) and hugging him, and it's revealed that she was indeed accepted.

We get a brief scene where Ruby says goodbye to Miles at the spot where they first kissed, before cutting to the Rossi's front lawn on the day Ruby is set to leave for college. She says goodbye to her family and drives off, but stops the car abruptly to run back for one last hug. The entire movie is really about family after all, and this final group hug is just driving that point home even more. As they break apart, Ruby's father Frank (Troy Kotsur) holds her face and tells her: "go!"  

It's the only time he speaks in the whole movie, and it's enough to make both him and Ruby tear up as they hug one more time. As she drives off, Ruby signs "I really love you" out of her window, before turning the corner and starting the next chapter of her life. All told, it's a heartwarming ending that leaves you thinking about the importance of family, and emphasizes how difficult it is to leave home and start a life somewhere new.