Owen is a young boy with terminal cancer, whose friend Mr. Rice (David Bowie) has just died. Mr. Rice just happened to be have been a four hundred year old mysterious spirit and has left behind some `gifts` for Owen, who along with his friends, break into Mr. Rice`s empty house on a dare. Owen finds a series of letters written to him by Mr. Rice in code, leading to a mysterious treasure hunt and other heartwarming surprises.