Movies have long reflected society, showcasing stories that entertain, inform, and inspire. As the demand for more diverse and inclusive representation grows, we’ve seen a significant rise in the portrayal of characters with disabilities, including those with hearing loss. These characters offer a powerful message: disability does not limit a person’s ability to succeed, contribute, or be heroic. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most notable movie characters with hearing loss, how their stories break down stereotypes, and why their representation is so important.
1. Ruby Rossi – CODA (2021)
One of the most recent and impactful portrayals of hearing loss in film is in CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2022. Ruby Rossi, played by Emilia Jones, is the only hearing member of her deaf family. As a high school senior, Ruby helps her family run their fishing business while pursuing her passion for singing.
The film offers a rare and intimate look into the dynamics of a deaf family and the challenges they face while also focusing on Ruby’s internal struggle to balance her responsibilities and her dreams. Ruby’s parents, Frank and Jackie Rossi, and her brother, Leo, are portrayed by real-life deaf actors (Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, and Daniel Durant). Their performances bring authenticity and depth to the film, showcasing that deafness is not a limitation but simply another way of living.
CODA is groundbreaking in its portrayal of deaf culture, communication through American Sign Language (ASL), and the unique experiences of a hearing child in a deaf family. It demonstrates the importance of authentic representation and has been praised for shedding light on the daily lives of the deaf community.
2. Ruben & Joe – Sound of Metal (2019)
In Sound of Metal, Riz Ahmed delivers a powerful performance as Ruben, a heavy metal drummer who begins to lose his hearing. As the film progresses, Ruben struggles to come to terms with his new reality and learns how to navigate life as a person with hearing loss. His emotional journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of losing something as vital as hearing.
A significant character in Ruben’s story is Joe, played by Paul Raci, who is a deaf veteran running a sober living community for deaf individuals. Joe’s character serves as a mentor to Ruben, teaching him how to accept his deafness rather than see it as a limitation. Joe’s calm, wise presence offers a counterbalance to Ruben’s inner turmoil and frustration, showing that deafness is not something to be feared but embraced.
Sound of Metal is notable for its sensitive and authentic portrayal of hearing loss, especially in how it uses sound design to immerse the audience in Ruben’s experience of losing his hearing. The film doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of deafness but also shows the beauty of adapting to a new way of life.
3. Regan Abbott – A Quiet Place (2018, 2021)
In the horror-thriller, A Quiet Place, directed by John Krasinski, Regan Abbott (played by Millicent Simmonds) is a young deaf girl who plays a central role in her family’s survival. The world of A Quiet Place is one where deadly monsters hunt by sound, forcing the family to live in near-total silence. Regan’s deafness becomes a key aspect of the family’s survival strategy, as they already know how to communicate without sound through American Sign Language (ASL).
Millicent Simmonds, a deaf actress, delivers a standout performance, bringing depth and authenticity to Regan’s character. Regan is intelligent, brave, and resourceful, showing that her deafness is not a vulnerability but a unique strength that helps her family stay alive.
The A Quiet Place films have been praised for their depiction of a deaf character in a leading role and for casting a deaf actress to authentically represent the deaf experience. The films explore themes of communication, survival, and resilience, with Regan’s deafness becoming both a metaphor for the power of silence and a crucial aspect of the plot.
4. Sarah Norman – Children of a Lesser God (1986)
One of the earliest and most influential films to feature a deaf character in a leading role is Children of a Lesser God. The film stars Marlee Matlin, a deaf actress, as Sarah Norman, a custodian at a school for the deaf who refuses to speak aloud. Sarah’s character is independent and defiant, resisting the idea that she must conform to the hearing world’s expectations.
The film focuses on her relationship with James Leeds (played by William Hurt), a new speech teacher who tries to convince Sarah to learn to speak verbally. Children of a Lesser God tackles complex issues of communication, identity, and autonomy, exploring the tension between the hearing and deaf communities.
Marlee Matlin won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in this film, making her the first deaf actor to win an Oscar. Her portrayal of Sarah Norman helped pave the way for a more inclusive representation of deaf characters in Hollywood and broke down barriers for deaf actors in the industry.
5. Lara – The Tribe (2014)
The Tribe is a unique and groundbreaking Ukrainian film set in a boarding school for deaf teenagers. What makes this film so remarkable is that it is told entirely in Ukrainian Sign Language (USL) without subtitles or voiceover. The film challenges viewers to engage with the story through visual communication alone, offering a deeply immersive experience into the world of the deaf characters.
Lara, played by Yana Novikova, is one of the key characters in this gritty drama. The film explores themes of isolation, power dynamics, and survival, with the deafness of the characters playing a central role in how the story unfolds.
While The Tribe is not for the faint of heart, it is an artistic achievement in its depiction of a world without spoken language. It pushes the boundaries of conventional filmmaking and invites viewers to experience the unique perspective of its deaf characters.
The Importance of Representation
The portrayal of characters with hearing loss in film is crucial for several reasons. First, it promotes understanding and empathy for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. By depicting their experiences authentically, films can help break down misconceptions and highlight the unique challenges they face.
Second, representation offers validation and inspiration for viewers with hearing loss. Seeing characters like Regan Abbott, Ruby Rossi, and Sarah Norman on screen allows people with hearing impairments to see themselves in heroic, complex roles, proving that they are not defined by their disability.
Lastly, authentic casting—such as using deaf actors to play deaf characters—ensures that the stories told are accurate and respectful. It allows for greater depth and realism in the portrayal of deaf characters and fosters inclusivity within the entertainment industry.
Conclusion: Celebrating Characters with Hearing Loss in Film
The inclusion of characters with hearing loss in the film marks a significant step toward greater diversity and representation in cinema. These characters—whether they are battling monsters, navigating relationships, or learning to live with a new reality—show that hearing loss is not a barrier to strength, heroism, or success.
Movies like A Quiet Place, CODA, and Sound of Metal not only entertain but also educate audiences about the diverse experiences of individuals with hearing impairments. These films remind us that representation matters and that every story, regardless of ability, deserves to be told.
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