Charlie

Charlie

Year: 2015

Runtime: 130 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Martin Prakkat

DramaRomance

Tessa, a young woman who doesn't quite fit in, finds herself caught up in a tense pursuit through the backstreets of Kerala. She's searching for a reclusive artist who once lived in her apartment, and her quest quickly turns into a complex game of cat and mouse as she tries to uncover his secrets.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Charlie (2015)

Trace every key event in Charlie (2015) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Tessa runs away from home to escape an arranged marriage

Tessa, a graphic artist, runs away from home to escape an unwanted arranged marriage. With the help of a journalist friend, she rents a dilapidated house and moves into a cluttered room there. At first she hates the shabby place, but she soon learns it was previously occupied by a carefree man named Charlie.

Opening sequence
2

Discovery of Charlie through the old room and graphic novel

While cleaning, she finds a photo and a graphic novel about Charlie. The sketches narrate events from a New Year's Eve when a petty thief tried to rob Charlie's room, and Charlie himself joined the scheme. The pair end up on a rooftop where something shocking happens, and the last page shows Charlie and the thief looking dumbstruck.

New Year's Eve Rented room
3

Tessa begins tracing the people in the sketches

Intrigued, Tessa starts tracing the people in the drawings. She meets Charlie's 'father' and a boat servant named Pathrose, who narrates the story of Mariya, also known as Queen Mary.

Following days after New Year's Eve City and docks
4

Mariya's backstory and Charlie's midnight sea trip

Pathrose recounts Mariya's exploitation by her procurer husband in her youth. On Mariya's birthday at midnight, Charlie takes her to the sea; Mariya jumps into the ocean and dies, leaving Charlie stunned and grief-stricken.

Midnight on Mariya's birthday Sea at midnight
5

Hotel stay and rescue of Mariya's daughter

Tessa learns that Charlie has been staying in a hotel and rushes there, only to arrive after the moment has passed. A hotel staffer later explains that Charlie had just rescued Mariya's daughter from her dangerous father, an act that caused a scene and deepened the mystery around him.

A few days later Hotel
6

The thief's New Year's Eve encounter and intervention

A few days later, Tessa meets the thief who appears in the sketches. He explains that on New Year's Eve they encountered a young woman on the verge of suicide, and Charlie intervened, though the woman escaped on her bike.

New Year's Eve City streets
7

Dr. Kani and the move to Ooty

They locate the woman, who turns out to be Dr. Kani. Tessa travels to Ooty to learn her story and discovers that Kani was driven toward despair after a failed relationship and a medical operation that led to the death of a child. Charlie distracted her on New Year's Eve and took her to a shelter home in Ooty, where she has lived since.

Ooty backstory Ooty
8

Kunjappan and Thresia the nun

In Ooty, Tessa also meets Kunjappan, a hopeless romantic waiting for his teenage love Thresia, who is now a nun. The subplot reveals the lingering ache of unfulfilled romance that threads through the lives around Charlie.

During Tessa's stay in Ooty Ooty
9

Tessa returns home; Charlie returns with Thresia

Tessa's trip ends when her brother and mother come to take her home. Meanwhile, Charlie returns with Thresia, Kunjappan's long-lost love who is now a nun, and the moment they are about to meet again is missed by a few seconds.

A few days after Tessa's stay Ooty
10

Kani informs Charlie about Tessa; his emotional turning

Kani tells Charlie about Tessa and his search for her. Charlie acknowledges that he knew about her, and though initially reluctant to love, he is persuaded by Kunjappan and Kani to open up.

Next morning after Tessa's Ooty trip
11

Thrissur Pooram and the final confession

Charlie travels to the Thrissur Pooram festival and stages a magic show. He spots Tessa in the crowd and invites her for a drink; she pretends to be someone else, but as the festival unfolds, she confesses her identity and he reveals his name, Charlie.

Thrissur Pooram festival day Thrissur Pooram grounds
12

A new journey together

With their identities and feelings out in the open, Tessa and Charlie walk away together, choosing to start a new journey in life. The film ends on the note of reunion and possibilities as they move forward.

Ending Thrissur/Pooram grounds

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:53

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies like Charlie: Artistic Quest Mysteries

Personal journeys to uncover the truth about a mysterious creative figure.Discover movies like Charlie where a personal investigation into a mysterious artist leads to profound self-discovery. If you enjoyed the blend of mystery, romance, and creative expression in Charlie, you'll find similar character-driven journeys here.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a protagonist, often feeling unanchored, who becomes obsessed with piecing together the life of a reclusive or enigmatic creative person. The narrative unfolds through clues and encounters, gradually revealing a tapestry of interconnected lives and past deeds influenced by the artist, leading the seeker to a new understanding of connection and purpose.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their core narrative engine: a quest for artistic truth. They share a reflective, enigmatic mood, a steady investigative pace, and a hopeful tone that suggests the search for beauty and meaning is a worthy endeavor in itself, often culminating in a positive emotional connection.

Movies with a Vibe like Charlie: Hopeful Melancholy

Stories that find light and connection while acknowledging deep sadness.If you liked the emotional tone of Charlie, which blends melancholic stories with an uplifting core, explore these movies. They share a similar vibe of finding hope and romance even while touching on serious themes like loss and regret.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves characters grappling with past sorrows—such as lost love, death, or unfulfilled dreams—which cast a reflective, sometimes sad shadow over the story. However, the central plot is driven by a forward-looking, positive force—a new relationship, a quest, or a chance encounter—that guides the characters toward a brighter, happier conclusion, proving that joy can coexist with sadness.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects films based on their unique emotional blend. They are not purely sad nor simplistically happy; instead, they masterfully weave melancholy and hope together, creating a deeply resonant and satisfying experience that feels true to the complexities of life, culminating in endings that feel earned and uplifting.

Unlock the Full Story of Charlie

Don't stop at just watching — explore Charlie in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Charlie is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Charlie Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Charlie, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Charlie Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Charlie

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Charlie. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Charlie

Charlie Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Charlie that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Charlie Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Charlie

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Charlie: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Charlie