Koode 2018

The movie begins by showing Josh, played by [Roshan Mathew], working in a factory in Dubai. He receives a distressing call informing him that his beloved sister, Jennifer (Jenny), has passed away. The story then transitions to his return to their hometown for her funeral, where Josh appears remarkably unaffected despite seeing Jenny’s body.

In flashbacks, we see a young Josh as a 15-year-old boy, with his father—a mechanic—and his pregnant mother, preparing for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, during midnight mass, his mother goes into labor, delivering a baby girl named Jenny. Josh adores and looks after his little sister, who is diagnosed with a congenital disease expected to shorten her life, requiring continuous medication. The family’s financial struggles worsen with hospital expenses, leading to difficulties in providing for themselves. As a result, Josh is expelled from school due to poor performance, but his father, recognizing his love for machines, takes him to a train yard to find solace.

Later, their maternal uncle offers assistance and suggests sending Josh abroad for vocational training to support the family. Reluctantly, the family agrees, but the story subtly hints that this uncle then assaulted Josh, affecting his early years overseas, involving some form of sexual labor.

Back in their hometown, Josh finds solace in Jenny’s artistic expressions, like her drawings and poetry stored in her room. He becomes close to Brownie, Jenny’s loyal dog. One day, he asks his father to take him for a drive, and they look through Jenny’s ambulance van—used during her hospital visits. Josh drives the van to a lakeside and discovers someone sleeping in the backseat. To his shock, he finds the girl inside is Jenny, alive and talking to him—only he can see and hear her. This hallucination or spectral encounter becomes a recurring motif throughout the film.

The narrative then introduces Sophie, portrayed by [Parvathy Thiruvothu], Josh’s childhood sweetheart. She is now divorced after enduring domestic violence from her abusive husband who suffered from alcoholism. Sophie stays with her father and the family, who disapprove of her divorce and criticize her. Josh and Jenny visit the dilapidated old house where Sophie used to live, reconnecting briefly. Sophie’s situation becomes more distressing when she is molested by a younger cousin, and her family dismisses her as blameworthy, reflecting the toxic environment she endures. When she considers taking her own life, Josh intervenes just in time, saving her from despair.

Josh then locates Coach Ashraf, who suffers from lower body paralysis and memory loss, and they bring him to an old age home, where he is cared for. Jenny shows Josh her college and shares her feelings for a boy named Krish, who was part of her band. Unfortunately, when Jenny’s health faltered during a performance, Krish learned of her illness and distanced himself. Josh finds her diary filled with love poems and hands it over to Krish, revealing her inner world.

Meanwhile, Josh revisits his childhood, learning that his father had been caring for his toys in the attic, helping him realize the love and attention he missed due to the family struggles. This rekindles his appreciation for his father, leading him to bury past grudges.

A turning point occurs when Coach Ashraf gives Josh his football field whistle, symbolizing encouragement and the passing of mentorship. Later, Sophie and Josh spend time together discussing books in an old house, but her relatives come forcively to take her away. Josh, feeling a deep need to support her, persuades her to run away with him. As they flee in their van, thick rain begins to fall. Sophie is hesitant at first, but eventually joins Josh, and they elope through a window of his house. They drive away in the van, living on the road.

Krish catches up with them, inviting Josh to a college memorial event for Jenny, where he admits feeling ashamed of how he reacted to her illness and confesses his feelings for her. During the memorial, Krish’s friends help them escape an attack by Sophie’s relatives, showing their solidarity.

Watching Krish’s act of bravery, Jenny seems pleased that her brother is surrounded by such kindness. The next night, Josh and Sophie spend a peaceful evening by the lakeside; Jenny talks to Josh, telling him that he would make a wonderful father someday.

The following morning, Josh discovers that Jenny is missing, which profoundly devastates him as he finally comprehends how much she means to him. The story concludes with Josh coaching young football players in his community and becoming a father himself, caring for a baby girl, symbolizing hope, healing, and the enduring power of love.