What Is The Business About?
The premise of The Business in 240 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sun‑blazed outskirts of 1980s London, a restless youth dreams of shaking off the grime of his neighborhood and the shadows that cling to his home. When a violent clash with his mother’s abusive boyfriend forces him to flee, he carries only a battered sense of pride and a desperate hope for a fresh start. The journey takes him across the Channel to the glittering Costa del del Sol, where the promise of anonymity and opportunity hovers over every palm‑lined boulevard.
There, a chance encounter with the smooth‑talking expatriate known as Charlie pulls him into a seductive underworld of chrome‑shiny sports cars, late‑night clubs, and a relentless pursuit of status. Charlie sees something in the young man’s quiet resolve and offers him a job as a driver, a role that quickly becomes a passport to a lifestyle pulsing with excess, danger, and camaraderie. The Mediterranean heat amplifies the allure, turning each night into a blur of flashing lights, seductive strangers, and the intoxicating rush of being part of something larger than oneself.
As Frankie settles into this fast‑paced realm, the film drips with the neon‑tinted mood of Thatcher‑era ambition, juxtaposing the bleakness of his London origins with the dazzling, morally ambiguous glamour of his new world. The tone is equal parts gritty realism and stylized swagger, inviting the audience to feel the magnetic pull of wealth, freedom, and the ever‑present edge of recklessness that lingers just beneath the surface.
What Happens in The Business?
The complete story of The Business, from the first scene to the last, in 632 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Frankie narrates a grim, sun-soaked tale set in South East London during the Thatcher era of the early 1980s—1984, to be precise—where a young man clings to a fragile dream of being somebody and escaping a dull, lonely life. After a brutal clash with his mother’s abusive boyfriend, Frankie becomes a fugitive, and through family ties he slips away to the Costa del Sol, chasing a chance to rewrite his future.
There, his fate crosses with Charlie, a suave expatriate who runs a nightclub and lives by a code of quiet, dangerous competence. Frankie is tasked with delivering a bag of money to Charlie, and what begins as a simple transfer quickly deepens into a relationship of trust and temptation. Charlie is impressed by Frankie’s restraint in not opening the bag, and he pulls him into his inner circle, introducing him to his associates and, notably, to the psychopathic Sammy. The invitation to stay in Spain and work as Charlie’s driver marks the start of a dramatic shift away from Frankie’s old London life.
As Frankie acclimates to this glittering, perilous world, he learns that Charlie and his crew are not just criminals but the very people the British authorities know as the “Peckham Four,” wanted for armed robbery back home. Yet Frankie finds the lure of wealth, status, and the adrenaline of this new milieu hard to resist, choosing the excitement of their high-flying scheme over his prior, unremarkable life. He becomes deeply involved in smuggling hashish across the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco, a path that promises fast money but also breeds fear, paranoia, and increasingly reckless risks.
The film follows the familiar rise-and-fall arc of many crime dramas: the gang lives large while fortunes bloom, then greed and mistrust gnaw away at the crew, driving wedges between friends and rivals alike. Tensions spike when Frankie and Sammy’s wife, Carly, becomes a focal point of jealousy and desire, complicating loyalties within the group. As the business grows more ambitious, Charlie and Frankie decide to go it alone, shifting from cannabis to cocaine and arranging drop-offs from Colombian planes. Yet this shift only accelerates their downfall, as both men become increasingly addicted and the local authorities grow wary.
The mayor, a figure who once tolerated the cannabis trade, issues a blunt warning to stall the cocaine operation, and the tension culminates in a brutal crackdown that disrupts their entire operation. An assassination attempt on the mayor fails, and the ensuing fallout leads to the brutal beheading of one of their affiliates. Six months pass, and Frankie and Charlie find themselves as homeless thugs, reduced to stealing to survive.
A chipped, anticlimactic reunion party at Charlie’s old bar—now run by Frankie’s ally, Sonny—reintroduces Carly into Frankie’s orbit. He hatches one last plan, inviting Sammy to join a final pickup, but the scheme backfires as Carly had secretly given Sammy a pistol. The weapon’s empty magazine renders Sammy unable to shoot Frankie, and a desperate clash erupts. Frankie pounds Sammy with a rock, but the outcome is sealed when Spanish Navy patrolmen fatally shoot Sammy as Frankie makes a frantic escape through a sewage pipe. He surfaces to confront Carly, the person who handed Sammy his empty gun, and, after a tense confrontation, drives off into the fading sunset alone.
The ending threads together two futures: Sonny reforms and quietly runs Charlie’s old bar with steady success, while Charlie himself is reduced to a mere bouncer. The film closes with a stark, theatrical coda that glances at the fates of the others—Carly returns home to her parents’ house in Penge, Sammy descends into Hell, and Frankie, ever restless, sails toward Hollywood. In between these chapters, the story remains a blunt, immersive portrait of ambition, betrayal, and the fragile line between aspiration and ruin.
The Business Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Frankie beats his mother's abusive boyfriend” to “Endings and epilogue”. 13 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Frankie beats his mother's abusive boyfriend
Frankie severely beats his mother's abusive boyfriend, an act that triggers his flight from London. The violent act leaves him with little choice but to become a fugitive, fueling a desperate dream of escape from his dreary life.
When:1984 Where:South East London
- 2
Escape to the Costa del Sol and meet Playboy Charlie
With the money bag bound for Playboy Charlie, Frankie flees to the Costa del Sol. Charlie is impressed by Frankie's honesty in not opening the bag and invites him to stay in Spain and work as his driver.
When:1984 Where:Costa del Sol, Spain
- 3
Joining Charlie's circle
Frankie is introduced to Charlie's circle and the rest of his associates. He accepts the offer to remain in Spain and begins driving for Charlie.
When:1984-85 Where:Spain
- 4
Learning they are the Peckham Four
Frankie discovers that Charlie and his circle are the infamous Peckham Four, wanted for armed robbery back in Britain. Rather than turn away, Frankie decides to stay and join their world.
When:1984-85 Where:Spain
- 5
Hashish trade and the high life
The cannabis empire flourishes as the gang basks in wealth and luxury. Frankie senses the intoxicating pull of power, even as the cost of crime narrows his options.
When:1985 Where:Gibraltar Strait area / Spain
- 6
Romance and rivalries
Mutual attraction blossoms between Frankie and Carly, Sammy's wife, fueling jealousy and paranoia within the group. The romance complicates loyalties as the cannabis operation expands.
When:1985 Where:Spain
- 7
Cocaine fast tracks the operation
Seeking bigger profits, Charlie and Frankie shift into cocaine smuggling, using Colombian drop-offs to move the drug. The move raises the stakes and deepens their dependence on the drug.
When:1985-86 Where:Spain / Colombia
- 8
Mayor cracks down on cocaine
The local mayor, fed up with the cocaine trade, cracks down on the operation and clamps down on their businesses. The crackdown threatens their freedom and future in Spain.
When:1986 Where:Spain
- 9
Assassination attempt and beheading
An assassination attempt on the mayor fails, and the gang's momentum is damaged when one of their affiliates is beheaded. The violence escalates and foreshadows the collapse to come.
When:1986 Where:Spain
- 10
Six months later: homelessness and desperation
Six months later, Frankie and Charlie become homeless criminals, reduced to stealing to survive. The glamorous rise dissolves into desperate days and a mounting sense of doom.
When:1986-1987 Where:Spain
Show the other 3 events of The Business Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Reunion party and a last deal
At a reunion party at Charlie's old bar, now run by Sonny, Frankie reconnects with Carly and contemplates one last drug pickup with Sammy. Old rivalries flare as danger closes in.
When:1987 Where:Charlie’s old bar, Spain
- 12
Pistol betrayal and the lethal hunt
Carly has handed Sammy a pistol; during the showdown, the gun proves to be unloaded, betraying Sammy and triggering Frankie to defend himself with a rock. Frankie escapes through a sewage pipe as Spanish Navy patrolmen fatally shoot Sammy, exposing Carly's manipulation.
When:1987 Where:Spain
- 13
Endings and epilogue
After the confrontation, Frankie leaves to forge his own path. The epilogue reveals Sonny continuing to run Charlie's old bar, Charlie working as a bouncer, Carly back in Penge, Sammy in Hell, and Frankie heading toward Hollywood.
When:Epilogue Where:London / Hollywood
Who Are the Main Characters in The Business?
7 characters, among them Frankie (Danny Dyer), Sammy (Geoff Bell) and Charlie (Tamer Hassan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- F(
Frankie (Danny Dyer)
Played by Danny Dyer
Frankie is a young, aimless Londoner who dreams of being somebody. He is drawn into Charlie's world after a moment of violence against his mother's abusive boyfriend, and he soon discovers the lucrative lure of crime. He remains pragmatic and hungry for status, taking bigger risks as he becomes involved in cannabis and cocaine trafficking. The ending hints that Frankie heads to Hollywood, embodying his hard-won but precarious independence.
- 💼 Ambition
- 🧭 Deception
- 💊 Addiction
- S(
Sammy (Geoff Bell)
Played by Geoff Bell
Sammy is a volatile, psychopathic enforcer who wields violence to protect the group's interests. He loyally serves Charlie but grows paranoid as the cocaine trade expands and Carly's machinations unfold. His aggression and quick temper heighten the risks for everyone around him. He is fatally shot by Spanish Navy patrolmen during a climactic confrontation.
- 🗡️ Violence
- 🕷️ Paranoia
- 💣 Aggression
- C(
Charlie (Tamer Hassan)
Played by Tamer Hassan
Charlie is a suave expatriate who runs a nightclub and lures Frankie into the criminal world. He exerts control and provides the glamour and money that drive the crew. His appetite for wealth blinds him to loyalty and risk, setting off the infighting that ends their alliance. His power wanes as law enforcement closes in and rivals rise.
- 🎩 Charm
- 🤑 Greed
- 🔥 Risk
- C(
Carly (Georgina Chapman)
Played by Georgina Chapman
Carly is a seductive and calculating figure who uses charm to manipulate Frankie and Sammy. She becomes a disruptive force, pursuing money and status while playing both sides. Her actions deepen the crew's fragility and trigger betrayals that steer the plot toward violence. Her ultimate plans contribute to the gang's unraveling.
- 💄 Glamour
- 🪄 Manipulation
- 💰 Wealth
- M(
Mayor (Arturo Venegas)
Played by Arturo Venegas
The mayor represents authority in a crime-ridden landscape. He initially tolerates the cannabis trade but clamps down on cocaine, destabilizing Charlie's operation. His crackdown precipitates rivalries, violence, and the crew's decline. His actions illustrate how public power can reshape criminal fortune.
- 🏛️ Authority
- ⚖️ Law
- S(
Sonny (Roland Manookian)
Played by Roland Manookian
Sonny is Frankie’s friend who runs Charlie’s old bar after the fall of the initial gang. He serves as a stabilizing, loyal ally who tries to keep a semblance of normal life alive amid chaos. He represents the ordinary world that still lingers in the shadow of crime. His presence anchors the film’s aftermath and Frankie’s final choices.
- 🍺 Bar Life
- 🛡️ Loyalty
- 🎭 Crime
- N(
Nora (Camille Coduri)
Played by Camille Coduri
Nora is a maternal figure in Frankie’s life, embodying concern and resilience. Her presence underscores the personal stakes behind Frankie’s choices and the violence that spirals from them. She represents the ordinary world that Frankie longs to protect, even as he falls deeper into crime.
- 👩 Family
- 🛡️ Protection
- 🕯️ Solidarity
Where and When Is The Business Set?
The Business is set in South East London and Costa del Sol (1984). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1984
Set in 1984, the film places a young Londoner in the Thatcher-era economy where unemployment and aspiration collide. The period channels ambition into crime, setting a rapid rise and brutal fall for the crew. The era’s social tensions fuel the grit, paranoia, and violence that drive the plot.
Where
South East London, Costa del Sol
The story unfolds primarily in South East London during the grim Thatcher era, a working-class setting that shapes Frankie’s sense of possibility. It shifts to the Costa del Sol, a sun-soaked expatriate playground where wealth and danger mingle in nightclub crowds. The stark contrast between dreary streets and glamorous resorts highlights the lure of quick money and high life.
- 🏙️ South East London
- 🌞 Costa del Sol
What Are the Themes of The Business?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Greed, Betrayal and Escape.
-
01
Greed
Greed propels Frankie and Charlie from modest ambitions to extravagant criminal enterprise. The narcotic empire grows as profits mount, drawing in more players and deeper addictions. Wealth becomes a lure that erodes trust and amplifies paranoia. The pursuit of money ultimately catalyzes their downfall and the violence surrounding it.
-
02
Betrayal
Trust frays as partners plot and disguise intentions. Carly manipulates loyalties, sharing joint schemes while pursuing her own gain. Sammy's volatile temperament and romantic tension with Carly heighten the risk of betrayal. The film culminates in a fatal twist where buried treachery decides who survives.
-
03
Escape
Frankie's dream of escape frames the narrative, moving from a dreary London life to the risk and glamour of crime. He clings to the idea that wealth and fame will liberate him. The ending suggests only a solitary, uncertain path to freedom as he drives off into the sunset.
-
04
Power
The mayor embodies the reach and limits of authority in a crime-plagued city. His crackdown on the drug trade destabilizes the gang and triggers violent consequences. The conflict between illegal enterprise and public order drives the plot's turning points. The film shows how political power can disrupt criminal networks as quickly as it can support them.
What Kind of Film Is The Business?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
A grim and sun-soaked British crime thriller that follows a young man's intoxicating but ultimately destructive rise and fall within a gangster community in Spain, creating a tense and ultimately bleak cautionary tale.
- grim
- sun-soaked
- brutal
- paranoid
- restless
- cautionary
- rise and fall
- crime and punishment
- gangster life
- ambition and ruin
Content notes: domestic abuse, gang violence, assassination attempt, beheading, drug abuse.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Business? Test yourself on the story.
