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The Cokeville Miracle (2015) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Cokeville Miracle (2015) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 94 min · English
JustWatch #23,040 2
Directed by
T.C. Christensen

In the small town of Cokeville, Wyoming, a tense situation unfolds when a desperate couple takes elementary school students hostage. The crisis escalates with the threat of a classroom bomb, plunging the community into chaos. Through the recollections of survivors, a local man named Ron Hartley initially approaches the events with skepticism. However, as he listens to their accounts, he begins to question his beliefs and contemplates the possibility of divine intervention during the tragedy, ultimately pondering the extraordinary events of that day.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Cokeville Miracle
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Cokeville Miracle (2015)

Where can you watch The Cokeville Miracle? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Angel Studios and Filmzie: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The Cokeville Miracle Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Cokeville Miracle (2015), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Ron Hartley

    Ron Hartley is a dedicated police officer whose faith is deeply tested by the traumatic events his community faces. As he grapples with doubts about a just God, he eventually seeks redemption and healing for himself and his family. His character arc reflects the importance of confronting one's faith and emotions in times of crisis.

    • 👮‍♂️ Law Enforcement
    • 🙏 Faith
    • 💔 Trauma
  • Claudia Hartley

    Claudia is Ron's supportive wife who is concerned about his waning faith and the family's well-being. Her nurturing nature shines through as she encourages Ron to reconcile his feelings and find hope again. Claudia's character represents the strength and resilience of a family navigating a harrowing situation.

    • 👩‍👧‍👦 Family
    • 🌼 Support
    • ❤️ Love
  • David Young

    David Young is a former town marshal turned antagonist, driven by delusions and a desire for control. His misguided belief in a 'brave new world' leads him to commit heinous acts that terrorize the community. His descent into madness serves as a stark contrast to the quest for faith and redemption made by other characters.

    • ⚔️ Antagonist
    • 🌪️ Chaos
    • 🧨 Violence
  • Penny Young

    Penny is David Young's daughter who struggles with her father's intentions and ultimately chooses to rebel against his plans. Her moral conflict and decision to escape highlight the innocence of children amid chaos, as well as the possibility of change and courage in dire circumstances.

    • 👧 Innocence
    • ✊ Courage
    • 🚪 Rebellion

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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Setting

Where and When Does The Cokeville Miracle Take Place?

The setting of The Cokeville Miracle (2015): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

May 1986

May 1986 was a turbulent time marked by the aftermath of various social upheavals in the United States. This period saw a growing concern about violence and safety in communities, which is reflected in the chilling narrative of the hostage crisis in Cokeville. The events of this time left lasting impressions on those directly affected, as they grappled with faith and the fragility of life.

Location

Cokeville, Tucson, Arizona

Cokeville, a small town, is known for its close-knit community and serene atmosphere. However, it becomes the epicenter of a harrowing hostage situation when a former town marshal comes back with sinister intentions. Tucson, Arizona serves as the backdrop for the villain's preparation, showcasing a contrasting urban environment filled with chaos and planning.

  • 🏙️ Town
  • 💼 School

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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3 major themes

The Cokeville Miracle Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Cokeville Miracle (2015) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Faith vs. Doubt

    This theme is intricately woven into the narrative, as Ron Hartley struggles with his faith amid unspeakable atrocities. His journey from doubt to renewed belief showcases the human quest for understanding and the importance of faith in the face of chaos. As characters confront their beliefs, the film emphasizes the power of redemption and hope.

  • Trauma and Healing

    The Cokeville Miracle delves deep into the effects of trauma on individuals and families, particularly on children. The aftermath of the hostage situation leaves scars that require healing, both emotionally and spiritually. Through Ron and his family's journey, the film reflects on the necessity of support, love, and understanding in overcoming painful experiences.

  • Redemption

    Redemption is a central theme as characters seek forgiveness and understanding after the devastating attack. Ron's journey towards reconciling his feelings of hatred and resentment illustrates the struggle many face when coming to terms with tragedy. The film ultimately carries a message of hope and the possibility of finding peace even after immense suffering.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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Character & theme questions

The Cokeville Miracle Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Cokeville Miracle (2015): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The Cokeville Miracle takes place primarily in Cokeville, Wyoming, a small town known for its close-knit community and serene atmosphere. The story contrasts this peaceful setting with Tucson, Arizona, where the antagonist David Young prepares for the attack, showcasing an urban environment filled with chaos and planning.

  • cokeville wyoming
  • setting
  • location
  • small town
Q2

When does the story take place?

The events occur in May 1986, a period in the United States marked by growing concern about violence and safety in communities following various social upheavals. This historical context adds realism to the narrative and reflects the era's anxieties about community safety.

  • 1986
  • time period
  • 1980s
  • historical setting
  • may 1986
Q3

What is the main theme of Faith vs. Doubt?

Faith vs. Doubt is central to the film, following Ron Hartley's struggle with his faith amid the traumatic hostage crisis. His journey from skepticism to questioning whether divine intervention occurred during the tragedy showcases the human quest for understanding and the importance of faith in the face of chaos and unspeakable events.

  • faith
  • doubt
  • religion
  • belief
  • miracle
  • divine intervention
Q4

How does the movie address trauma and healing?

The Cokeville Miracle delves deeply into the effects of trauma on individuals and families, particularly on children who survived the hostage situation. Through Ron and his family's journey, the film reflects on the necessity of support, love, and understanding in overcoming painful experiences, showing that healing requires both emotional and spiritual processing.

  • trauma
  • healing
  • emotional recovery
  • children
  • survivors
  • aftermath
Q5

What does the film say about redemption?

Redemption serves as a central theme as characters seek forgiveness and understanding after the devastating attack. Ron's journey toward reconciling his feelings of hatred and resentment illustrates the struggle many face when coming to terms with tragedy. The film carries a message of hope and the possibility of finding peace even after immense suffering.

  • redemption
  • forgiveness
  • peace
  • hope
  • reconciliation
  • healing
Q6

Who is Ron Hartley?

Ron Hartley is a dedicated police officer whose faith is deeply tested by the traumatic events his community faces. As he grapples with doubts about a just God while listening to survivor accounts, he eventually seeks redemption and healing for himself and his family. His character arc reflects the importance of confronting one's faith and emotions in times of crisis.

  • ron hartley
  • police officer
  • protagonist
  • faith journey
  • main character
Q7

Who is David Young in the movie?

David Young is a former town marshal who becomes the film's antagonist, driven by delusions and a desire for control. His misguided belief in creating a 'brave new world' leads him to commit heinous acts that terrorize the community. His descent into madness serves as a stark contrast to the quest for faith and redemption pursued by other characters.

  • david young
  • antagonist
  • villain
  • former marshal
  • hostage taker
Q8

Who is Claudia Hartley?

Claudia Hartley is Ron's supportive wife who is concerned about his waning faith and the family's well-being during the crisis. Her nurturing nature shines through as she encourages Ron to reconcile his feelings and find hope again. Claudia represents the strength and resilience of a family navigating a harrowing situation together.

  • claudia hartley
  • wife
  • support
  • family
  • resilience
  • mother
Q9

Who is Penny Young?

Penny Young is David Young's daughter who struggles with her father's intentions and ultimately chooses to rebel against his plans. Her moral conflict and decision to escape highlight the innocence of children amid chaos, as well as the possibility of change and courage in dire circumstances.

  • penny young
  • daughter
  • child
  • rebellion
  • innocence
  • courage
Q10

How does the setting reflect the story's themes?

The contrast between Cokeville's peaceful small-town atmosphere and the violent hostage crisis emphasizes the theme of faith vs. doubt by showing how tragedy can strike unexpectedly in seemingly safe communities. The serene setting makes the traumatic events more shocking and underscores the characters' struggles to maintain faith in the face of random violence.

  • small town
  • community
  • contrast
  • setting
  • peaceful vs violence

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Cokeville Miracle, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Cokeville Miracle tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies like The Cokeville Miracle: True Stories of Miracles and Hope

Gripping stories based on real tragedies where faith or unexplained events lead to hope. For viewers seeking movies similar to The Cokeville Miracle, this section features films based on true stories of crisis that build to a hopeful, faith-affirming conclusion. If you were moved by the themes of divine intervention and survivor testimony, you'll find similar gripping and emotionally resonant dramas here.

  • faith-affirming
  • tense
  • based on true story
  • miraculous
  • traumatic
  • redemptive
  • Tone: tense, hopeful
  • Pacing: variable, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically begin by establishing a normal community, which is then shattered by a sudden, high-stakes crisis. The narrative often unfolds through the recollections of survivors or a skeptical investigator, building tension before revealing an extraordinary, seemingly miraculous resolution that points to a greater meaning or purpose behind the tragedy.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a specific narrative arc: a factual foundation, intense trauma, and a redemptive, hopeful resolution centered on themes of faith or the inexplicable. They balance heavy emotional weight with a ultimately positive tone, creating a unique viewing experience of tension leading to transcendence.

Emotional Dramas of Trauma and Hope like The Cokeville Miracle

Emotionally difficult journeys where characters find light after profound darkness. If you liked The Cokeville Miracle's balance of heavy themes with a hopeful message, this list features similar movies. These films explore dark, traumatic events but are defined by their redemptive arcs and focus on healing, making them emotionally challenging yet ultimately uplifting.

  • traumatic
  • hopeful
  • redemptive
  • emotionally heavy
  • cathartic
  • psychological
  • Tone: dark, hopeful
  • Pacing: variable, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves characters being thrust into a situation of extreme peril or grief. The central conflict is as much internal—grappling with faith, despair, or skepticism—as it is external. The journey culminates not just in survival, but in a meaningful transformation or a rediscovery of hope, often through community or personal epiphany.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their ability to sit with heavy, difficult emotions without succumbing to bleakness. They share a specific tonal balance: they earn their hopeful endings by first confronting the reality of trauma, creating a powerful and cathartic experience for the viewer seeking meaning in hardship.

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Movies Like The Cokeville Miracle

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Every angle

The Cokeville Miracle (2015) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Cokeville Miracle in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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