A Day in the Death of Joe Egg

British schoolteacher Bri is irritated by noisy schoolboys in his classroom, forcing them to sit in silence long after dismissal. During this time, he experiences a fantasy involving a nude blonde woman, revealing his inner desires. He then mischievously flees the school in his car, leaving the students behind without official dismissal.

Bri plays a playful prank on his wife Sheila by taping a fake rubber spider to his face, adding a humorous touch to their domestic life. Sheila, an eccentric housewife, collects numerous pets and shares a quirky, often bizarre banter with Bri as they prepare for the Christmas holiday. Their playful antics highlight their unconventional relationship.

The couple’s daughter, Josephine, is revealed to have severe intellectual disabilities and physical challenges, unable to walk, speak, or use the toilet. A flashback to a beach trip explains that she was born with a narrow pelvic opening, leading to a difficult and risky birth, which significantly impacted her health and development.

Bri and Sheila pretend to have a conversation with Josephine to simulate communication, highlighting their attempt to connect with her despite her disabilities. During this, Josephine urinates, and Bri must care for her, while Sheila casually talks to herself, emphasizing the chaotic nature of their daily routines.

As Josephine's condition deteriorates, Bri worries about her health, commenting on her being 'fat' and 'jaundiced.' The couple employs dark humor to cope with the emotional pain of watching her suffer, reflecting their struggle with helplessness and fear about her future.

The couple faces difficult moral decisions as they consider euthanasia for Josephine, weighing her quality of life against the pain and suffering. Friends and neighbors suggest she might be better cared for in a nursing home, adding to their internal conflict about her care.

Josephine becomes terminally ill, nearing death, which intensifies the emotional turmoil in the family. Sheila suspects Bri might be involved in her worsening condition, deepening their emotional and moral dilemmas during this critical period.

Despite the tragic circumstances, Bri, Sheila, and their friends and relatives struggle to maintain their family bond amid the chaos. Their wacky and unconventional support network underscores the complexity of their collective coping strategies during Josephine’s illness.

Against expectations, Josephine survives her critical condition, prompting Sheila to realize the profound mental toll the ordeal has taken on Bri. She privately reveals her plan to have Josephine placed in a residential hospital permanently to reclaim her own freedom.

Bri leaves the house with a suitcase, boarding a train for London, symbolizing his emotional escape from the chaos. Sheila, in turn, spends her time alone at home, talking to her pets, kissing Josephine, and finally stripping naked to retreat into solitude, ending the story on a note of resignation.