What Is The Bitch About?
The premise of The Bitch in 305 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the glittering underbelly of London’s club scene, a once‑glamorous hotspot teeters on the edge of obscurity. The venue, a sleek disco known for its pulsating beats and opulent décor, reflects the city’s relentless chase of style and status. Amid neon lights and the hum of high‑society chatter, the atmosphere is a delicate mix of decadence and unease, hinting that the glitter may soon give way to shadows.
Fontaine Khaled is the charismatic owner, a former billionaire’s wife who has turned her jet‑set past into a relentless drive to keep her nightclub alive. Though she exudes confidence and a sharp wit, the loss of her former financial cushion leaves her juggling the demands of patrons, investors, and an ever‑shifting social hierarchy. Her world is one where personal charm must mask the anxiety of dwindling fortunes, and where every night’s success feels as fragile as a spun record.
Enter Nico Cantafora, an alluring Italian gambler whose effortless charm masks a more complicated life on the fringe of legality. Their paths cross in a city where chance encounters can alter destinies, and their rapport crackles with a tension that is both seductive and unsettling. Alongside them, Arnold Rinstead, a trusted adviser, offers pragmatic counsel, grounding Fontaine’s ambitions with a realistic view of the numbers behind the glamour. Their interactions illustrate a delicate dance of trust, ambition, and the ever‑present allure of a quick fix.
Beyond the club’s velvet ropes, a subtle pressure builds as the local mafia eyes the lucrative territory. Their whispered interest adds a layer of intrigue, suggesting that the stakes extend far beyond the dance floor. In this world of glittering lights, high‑stakes gambling, and covert power plays, Fontaine must navigate loyalty, desire, and the relentless pull of a city that never sleeps, all while striving to preserve the dream that once seemed untouchable.
What Happens in The Bitch?
The complete story of The Bitch, from the first scene to the last, in 512 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Fontaine Khaled, Joan Collins, is a divorcee who still flits through a glamorous jet-set lifestyle, but the financial cushion of her past as a billionaire’s wife has vanished and her once-thriving London nightclub, “The Hobo,” is losing steam to a flashier new rival. Despite a hefty divorce settlement, the security she craves feels increasingly precarious as patrons drift away and her business—still trying to sparkle—struggles to stay afloat.
On a trip back to London from New York, she meets Nico Cantafora, Antonio Cantafora, a dashing Italian gambler who pretends to be a wealthy businessman. In truth, he’s a conman who owes money to the mafia, and he uses Fontaine to smuggle a stolen diamond ring through airport security, planning to sell it in London to clear his debts. The scheme spins into a tangled web as Nico tracks Fontaine down to retrieve the ring she unwittingly carried, and they share a night together. When she discovers he planted the ring in her coat, she throws him out in anger. Later, Nico learns the ring is a fake and tries to smooth things over by giving it back to Fontaine as a playful gift, and she forgives him.
Meanwhile, Fontaine’s financial woes continue to mount. Her trusted adviser Arnold Rinstead, Kenneth Haigh, warns that the money is running out, pushing Fontaine to try and restore her nightclub’s former glory. She also learns of Nico’s mob ties after he is beaten by local gangsters who want what he owes them.
The couple is invited to the country estate of Fontaine’s closest friends, Leonard and Vanessa Grant. Leonard Grant and Vanessa Grant own a celebrated racehorse named Plato, the Derby’s favorite, which is at the center of a dangerous game. With mafia debts hanging over him, Nico is ordered by the local crime boss Thrush Feathers, Ian Hendry, to ensure Plato loses. Nico goes so far as to coerce the jockey to throw the race. Fontaine, overhearing Nico’s plan, confronts Thrush Feathers to cut herself a share of the potential payoff, hoping to salvage her finances and keep the club alive.
On race day, fate tilts the odds. The jockey falls, and Plato loses as planned. Fontaine pretends to Nico that she has gambled her entire fortune on Plato to win and is now ruined, while Nico boasts that he has backed the winning horse and feels the mafia will finally back off. But the mafia have different ideas for Nico, and after he hands Fontaine his winning tickets to cash in, Thrush Feathers’ henchmen haul him away. Fontaine, seizing the moment, gathers a double payout—her cut from Feathers and Nico’s winning tickets—pulling herself back from the brink of ruin with the club revived and her finances on a clearer path.
Yet the denouement is bittersweet. Back at The Hobo, Fontaine discovers Thrush Feathers has infiltrated the club’s ownership, announcing himself as the new owner. The life she fought to restore teeters on a new edge, leaving Fontaine to navigate a world where loyalty, debt, and ambition collide in the glittering shadows of high society.
The Bitch Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Fontaine's post-divorce life and faltering nightclub” to “Feathers becomes the new owner of The Hobo”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Fontaine's post-divorce life and faltering nightclub
Fontaine Khaled enters life after divorce with a jetset image, but her finances are fragile. Her London nightclub, The Hobo, is bleeding customers as newer venues lure away the crowds. She must cope with the fear of losing everything while trying to keep up appearances.
When:After the divorce Where:London
- 2
Nico Cantafora enters Fontaine's orbit on a flight
On a flight from New York to London, Fontaine meets Nico Cantafora, who woos her with the guise of wealth. Unbeknownst to her, he is a conman who owes money to the mafia and aims to exploit her for his schemes. The encounter drags them both into a dangerous, entangled relationship.
When:Mid-journey Where:On a flight from New York to London
- 3
Nico uses Fontaine to smuggle a stolen ring
Nico covertly uses Fontaine to smuggle a stolen diamond ring through airport customs, planning to sell it in London to pay his debts. Fontaine carries the ring without realizing its true purpose. The plan immediately casts a shadow over her trust in him.
When:Shortly after their meeting Where:London airport
- 4
Nico tracks Fontaine, they spend a night together
Nico tracks Fontaine down to retrieve the ring and they spend the night together. In the morning, Fontaine discovers the ring was planted, and she throws him out. The betrayal deepens her vulnerability while the con continues to ripple through their lives.
When:Soon after the flight Where:Fontaine's London home
- 5
The ring is revealed as a fake; Fontaine forgives Nico
Nico later reveals that the ring is fake and gifts it to Fontaine as a lighthearted token, and she forgives him. The moment softens their relationship but does not erase the danger surrounding them. Their bond remains a volatile lifeline amid mounting financial pressures.
When:Following the confrontation Where:London
- 6
Fontaine's finances worsen; Rinstead warns
Fontaine's financial problems escalate as expenses mount and revenue declines. Her advisor Arnold Rinstead warns that she is rapidly running out of money. With the club's fortunes in peril, she resolves to revive The Hobo and recapture past glory.
When:After forgiveness Where:London
- 7
Nico is beaten; Fontaine learns of his mob ties
Nico is beaten by local gangsters due to the money he still owes, exposing his mob connections. Fontaine learns the extent of his criminal ties, complicating their relationship and her attempts to regain control of her life. The revelation increases the dangers surrounding both of them.
When:After the beating Where:London or nearby
- 8
Invitation to the Grants' country estate
They are invited to the country estate of Fontaine's best friends, Leonard and Vanessa Grant, where the stakes rise with a high-stakes derby looming. The Grants' racehorse Plato is the favorite to win, adding a new financial angle to the drama. The country retreat sets the stage for later intrigues tied to the derby.
When:Before the derby Where:Grant estate
- 9
Introduction of Plato and the derby intrigue
Plato becomes central as the derby approaches, with money and power on the line. Mafia debts and personal ambitions converge around the race, turning the event into a bargaining ground. The tension between loyalty, greed, and ambition grows louder.
When:Pre-derby Where:Derby track and Grant estate
- 10
Nico is ordered to fix the race
Nico is instructed by the mafia boss Thrush Feathers to cause Plato to lose, and he begins pressuring the jockey to throw the race. The pressure tightens as the deadline nears, showing how far Nico will go to protect his debts. The plot thickens with each manipulation of the race outcome.
When:Race day prep Where:Derby track and stables
Show the other 5 events of The Bitch Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Fontaine negotiates with Feathers for a cut
Fontaine overhears Nico's plan and confronts Feathers, requesting a cut of the payoff if the scheme succeeds. Feathers agrees to the arrangement, making Fontaine indebted to him and expanding his grip on her life. The alliance with Feathers shifts the power balance in the group.
When:Before race day Where:Feathers' meeting place
- 12
Derby day: the race and Fontaine's gambit
Race day arrives and the jockey falls as planned, ensuring Plato loses. Fontaine pretends she has gambled her entire fortune on Plato to win and acts broke, provoking Nico's elation at the apparent victory. The scheme temporarily buys her time while the mob's reach remains looming.
When:Race day Where:Derby track
- 13
Nico is captured by Feathers' men
After handing Fontaine Nico's winning tickets, he is carted off by Feathers' henchmen, disappearing from the arrangements. Fontaine seizes the opportunity to claim both sets of winnings and tighten her position. The mafia's grip tightens around Nico as Fontaine moves toward final control of her finances.
When:After race Where:Derby track or nearby
- 14
Fontaine's financial windfall and nightclub revival
With the winnings from Nico's tickets and her cut from Feathers, Fontaine's finances are revived and The Hobo regains life. She finally stabilizes her business and wardrobe, enjoying a period of relief. Yet Feathers' influence continuing to loom over her future.
When:Post-race Where:London, The Hobo
- 15
Feathers becomes the new owner of The Hobo
In a final twist, Feathers proclaims himself as the new owner of The Hobo, signaling a drastic shift in Fontaine's control of her own club. The power dynamic tilts toward organized crime, leaving her uncertain about what comes next. The ending closes on a bittersweet note, with survival but without true independence.
When:End Where:The Hobo nightclub, London
Who Are the Main Characters in The Bitch?
6 characters, among them Fontaine Khaled (Joan Collins), Nico Cantafora (as Michael Coby) (Antonio Cantafora) and Thrush Feather: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- FK
Fontaine Khaled (Joan Collins)
Played by Joan Collins
A divorcee with a lavish jet-set lifestyle, Fontaine fights to maintain financial security as her nightclub The Hobo struggles. Clever and savvy, she manipulates situations to claw back wealth, but remains vulnerable to those who control money and power around her. Her charm hides a readiness to take risks to survive in a world of luxury and danger.
- 💃 Glamorous socialite
- 💼 Financially unstable
- 🕴️ Schemer
- NC
Nico Cantafora (as Michael Coby) (Antonio Cantafora)
Played by Antonio Cantafora
A handsome Italian gambler with mafia debts, Nico uses Fontaine to move a stolen diamond ring. He thrives on risk and deception, constantly dancing between charm and threat. His opportunistic nature complicates Fontaine's plans and ties him to criminal networks.
- 🃏 Conman
- 💸 Gambler
- 🕶️ Cunning
-
Thrush Feather
Played by Ian Hendry
A ruthless gangland boss who leverages both menacing force and shrewd deals to control outcomes. He manipulates the Derby and exerts power over Fontaine and Nico, ultimately asserting his own ownership over the club. His presence anchors the criminal underworld in the story.
- 💣 Gangland boss
- 🗡️ Ruthless
- 🕳️ Shadowy figure
- LG
Leonard Grant (Mark Burns)
Played by Mark Burns
Fontaine's best friend and a wealthy horse owner, Leonard embodies old-money stability. He invites Fontaine and Nico to his country estate for a high-stakes Derby, representing the benevolent face of aristocratic influence. His involvement underscores themes of trust and social capital.
- 💼 Wealthy patron
- 🏇 Derby ally
- 🕊️ Trusted friend
- VG
Vanessa Grant (Sue Lloyd)
Played by Sue Lloyd
Leonard's wife and a key socialite, Vanessa embodies refinement and sophistication. She navigates the pressures of maintaining social standing while supporting Fontaine and her husband’s interests. Her presence highlights the era's gendered expectations within high society.
- 🎀 Socialite
- 👗 Elegant
- 🤝 supportive ally
- AR
Arnold Rinstead (as financial advisor)
Played by Kenneth Haigh
Fontaine's cautious financial advisor who warns that her fortune is dwindling. He represents the rational voice trying to steady a volatile situation, offering pragmatic guidance in a world of risk and temptation. His advice anchors the plot's financial pressures.
- 💼 Advisor
- 🧾 Financial shield
- 🧭 Pragmatic
Where and When Is The Bitch Set?
The Bitch is set in London (The Hobo nightclub), New York and Grants' country estate (Late 1970s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Late 1970s
Set in the late 1970s, the film captures the era's opulent jet-set culture and decadent nightlife. It uses the period to explore crumbling fortunes, glamorous parties, and intertwined crime networks. The mood reflects a time when wealth and influence could shift quickly, often through deception.
Where
London (The Hobo nightclub), New York, Grants' country estate
The story revolves around Fontaine's glamorous London nightlife at her failing club The Hobo. It also moves across the Atlantic to New York during a transatlantic moment, and returns to the Grants' countryside estate where the Derby and high-stakes schemes unfold. Key scenes alternate between urban nightlife and the rural estate, highlighting the clash between luxury and danger.
- 🗺️ London
- 🗺️ New York
- 🏰 Country estate
What Are the Themes of The Bitch?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Greed, Power and Deception.
-
01
Greed
Wealth fuels every major move, from Fontaine's attempt to restore her nightclub's fortune to Nico's need to pay off mafia debts. The con and the counterfeit ring show how money can corrupt trust and drive characters to manipulate others for personal gain. The derby plot becomes a vehicle for profit, risk, and opportunistic crime.
-
02
Power
Control over finances, reputations, and venues becomes a central prize. Fontaine seeks to reclaim influence over her life and business, while Thrush Feathers asserts dominion by owning the club and shaping the Derby outcome. The film stages a battle for dominance between glamour, legitimacy, and criminal pressure.
-
03
Deception
Deceit threads through every relationship: fake wealth, a planted ring, and double-crosses at the race. Fontaine plays both sides to advance her interests, often blurring lines between ally and exploit. The final twist—Feathers claiming ownership—reveals how appearances can mask manipulation and control.
What Kind of Film Is The Bitch?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A glamorous but anxious drama set in the 1970s jet-set world, following a desperate nightclub owner who navigates financial ruin, a deceptive lover, and mafia threats, resulting in a bittersweet victory laced with cynicism.
- glamorous
- anxious
- deceptive
- cynical
- resourceful
- treacherous
- financial desperation
- con artistry
- mafia extortion
- adultery
Content notes: mafia intimidation, deception, financial exploitation.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Bitch? Test yourself on the story.
