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Life’s a Bitch (2023) movie poster

Timeline

Life’s a Bitch (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 92 mins · French
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Directed by
Xavier Seron
Starring
Arieh Worthalter, Mara Taquin, Jean-Jacques Rausin, Aurora Marion, Ninon Borsei, Louise Manteau
Budget
$380K

Tom adopts a Chihuahua to please Cecile, setting in motion a series of interconnected stories. Actress Greta experiences a devastating loss when her dog and assistant are tragically killed. Franck and Lola instantly connect, but their budding romance faces an obstacle when Lola reveals she dislikes dogs. These three separate narratives explore the unexpected ways people and their canine companions become intertwined.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Life’s a Bitch
  6. 6 Every angle
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12 events in order · contains spoilers

Life’s a Bitch Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Life’s a Bitch (2023) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Tom agrees to care for the neighbor's chihuahua

    Tom, a young man smitten with Cécile, agrees to look after his late neighbor's chihuahua. He begins the careful task of caring for the small dog, trying to manage its routine and expectations. The arrangement sets the stage for a growing tension as the dog's behavior remains seemingly harmless at first.

    When
    Day 1
    Where
    Tom's apartment
  2. The dog’s menace emerges

    The chihuahua, initially agreeable, starts displaying erratic and threatening behavior. Tom struggles to keep the dog under control as small incidents escalate. The pet's behavior introduces a chilling uncertainty about the dog's influence.

    When
    Soon after Day 1
    Where
    Tom's apartment
  3. Whispers of a darker link to the owner’s death

    Rumors spread that the dog may have driven its former owner to suicide, adding a chilling plausibility to the creature’s menace. Neighbors grow increasingly unsettled as anecdotal sightings accumulate. Tom finds himself caught between care duties and a fearsome reputation surrounding the dog.

    When
    Early days after the incident
    Where
    Neighborhood
  4. Greta endures a devastating loss

    Greta, a successful actress and perfume ambassador, loses both her dog and her assistant in a tragic truck accident. She must confront a sudden emptiness in her life and the professional pressures that come with fame. The crash marks a turning point in her personal and professional journey.

    When
    Soon after the accident
    Where
    City
  5. Greta meets Charlotte in a laundromat

    While processing her losses, Greta encounters Charlotte in a laundromat and begins to see a possible substitute for her dog in the form of Charlotte’s potential role. Greta contemplates whether Charlotte could serve as an assistant or even replace the dog’s presence in her life. The interaction opens a door to an unsettling reshaping of Greta’s world.

    When
    During Greta's mourning period
    Where
    Laundromat
  6. Charlotte considered as Greta’s assistant or dog substitute

    Greta’s proposal to Charlotte plants the seed of a strange mentorship that could blur lines between human assistant and pet substitute. Charlotte weighs the offer as she navigates an uncertain future in Greta’s orbit. The dynamic hints at the film’s surreal exploration of longing and identity.

    When
    Shortly after the laundromat meeting
    Where
    City
  7. Franck and Lola fall in love

    Franck and Lola meet and instantly fall in love, discovering many commonalities in a short time. Their romance blossoms quickly, infusing hope and excitement into their lives. Lola’s stance against dogs, however, foreshadows a looming clash with Franck’s pet affections.

    When
    Early in their relationship
    Where
    City
  8. Lola’s hatred of dogs challenges the new romance

    Lola’s intense dislike of dogs clashes with Franck’s affection for his dog, Perdita, creating tension at the heart of their budding relationship. The couple’s future is tested as Perdita’s presence exposes conflicting loyalties. Franck is forced to confront what matters most: love or a beloved pet.

    When
    During early dating phase
    Where
    City
  9. Perdita becomes a focal point in Franck’s choice

    Perdita’s role in Franck’s life forces him to confront a difficult choice between his new love with Lola and his long-standing bond with his dog. The decision embodies the film’s central tension between human connections and animal companionship. The stakes are high as emotions run strong.

    When
    Mid-relationship
    Where
    Franck’s home / City
  10. Tom attempts to control the dog and protect others

    Back with Tom, he continues to struggle with controlling the dog’s dangerous demeanor while managing the rumors surrounding its past. His attempts to keep others safe test his patience and resourcefulness. The situation reaches a point where the dog’s behavior could have serious consequences for everyone involved.

    When
    Over the course of the dog's escalation
    Where
    Tom's apartment
  11. The stories intersect through fear and uncertain fates

    As the three stories unfold in parallel, fear and uncertainty knit the characters together despite their differences. Rumors, loss, and conflicting loyalties intertwine, shaping a shared atmosphere of unease. The movie’s interwoven structure amplifies the emotional stakes as events ripple across lives.

    When
    Throughout
  12. Ambiguous outcomes linger

    The film closes with unresolved fates for both the dog and the humans involved, leaving audiences to ponder what may come next. Each character faces a choice that could redefine their relationships with dogs and with one another. The timeline of events remains open, mirroring the film’s sense of mystery.

    When
    End

Last updated: March 05, 2026 at 18:39

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Timeline questions answered

Life’s a Bitch Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Life’s a Bitch (2023): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Tom agree to take care of his neighbor's chihuahua?

Tom agrees to look after the chihuahua because he wants to impress Cécile, the concierge's daughter. Taking on this responsibility shows his willingness to help and care for things, which he hopes will make him more appealing to her.

Foreshadowing: Tom's decision to care for the dog is motivated by his attraction to Cécile from the very beginning.

  • tom
  • cécile
  • chihuahua
  • neighbor
  • adoption
Q2

Why does the chihuahua become dangerous or menacing?

The chihuahua starts displaying erratic and threatening behavior shortly after Tom takes it in. While initially agreeable, small incidents escalate into a chilling uncertainty about the dog's true nature, leading neighbors to whisper that it may have driven its former owner to suicide.

Foreshadowing: The dog's transformation from harmless to menacing mirrors the growing tension in Tom's efforts to manage both the animal and his relationship with Cécile.

  • chihuahua
  • dangerous
  • behavior
  • menace
  • tom
Q3

What is the connection between the chihuahua and its previous owner's death?

Neighbors whisper that the dog may have driven its former owner to suicide, suggesting the chihuahua's menacing behavior contributed to the owner's tragic end. These rumors gain plausibility as Tom experiences the dog's unpredictable temper firsthand.

Foreshadowing: The dark history of the dog foreshadows the escalating danger Tom faces as he struggles to control the animal.

  • dog
  • owner
  • suicide
  • death
  • rumors
  • neighborhood
Q4

What happens to Greta's dog and assistant?

Greta, a successful actress and luxury perfume ambassador, loses both her dog and her assistant in a tragic truck accident. This devastating loss leaves her confronting a sudden emptiness in her life while dealing with the pressures of fame.

Foreshadowing: The accident marks a turning point that leads Greta to seek companionship in unexpected places.

  • greta
  • dog
  • assistant
  • accident
  • truck
  • loss
Q5

Why does Greta invite Charlotte to become her assistant after meeting her in a laundromat?

While processing her grief over losing her dog and assistant, Greta meets Charlotte at a laundromat and offers her a position. Greta appears to view Charlotte as a potential replacement, either as an assistant or as a stand-in for the dog she just lost, blurring the lines between human companionship and pet substitute.

Foreshadowing: The laundromat meeting sets up the film's exploration of power dynamics and how people fill emotional voids.

  • greta
  • charlotte
  • laundromat
  • assistant
  • substitute
  • offer
Q6

Why does Lola dislike dogs so intensely?

Lola's intense hatred of dogs creates a significant obstacle in her relationship with Franck. While the film establishes her strong dislike, this aversion serves as a central conflict that tests the authenticity of their budding romance.

Foreshadowing: Lola's stance against dogs foreshadows the central conflict she will face with Franck and his pet Perdita.

  • lola
  • dogs
  • dislike
  • conflict
  • franck
  • relationship
Q7

What choice does Franck face between Lola and his dog Perdita?

Franck must choose between his new love with Lola and his long-standing bond with his beloved dog Perdita. Since Lola's intense dislike of dogs directly conflicts with Franck's deep affection for Perdita, he faces a difficult decision that tests what matters most to him.

Foreshadowing: The choice between love and loyalty to his pet becomes the defining challenge of Franck's storyline.

  • franck
  • lola
  • perdita
  • choice
  • dog
  • relationship
  • love
Q8

How do the three separate stories in the film connect to each other?

The three interwoven narratives, Tom's struggle with the chihuahua, Greta's loss and strange new connection, and Franck's romantic dilemma, all share themes of fear, uncertainty, and the complex relationships between humans and dogs. While the characters don't directly interact, their stories intersect through these shared emotional themes.

Foreshadowing: The parallel structure creates a shared atmosphere of unease that connects all three storylines.

  • stories
  • connection
  • interwoven
  • themes
  • dogs
  • characters
Q9

What happens at the end of the film?

The film closes with ambiguous outcomes for all three storylines. Each character faces a choice that could redefine their relationships with dogs and with one another, but the fates remain unresolved, leaving audiences to ponder what may come next.

Foreshadowing: The open ending reflects the film's overall sense of mystery and the uncertain futures awaiting each character.

  • ending
  • resolution
  • ambiguous
  • fate
  • choice

Movie threads

More Movies Like Life’s a Bitch, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Life’s a Bitch tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Interconnected Dramedies like Life’s a Bitch

Stories where separate lives collide in moments of grief and connection. Movies like Life’s a Bitch that blend comedy and drama through interconnected stories. If you enjoyed the mix of melancholic reflection and hopeful connections in this film, you'll find similar stories exploring how lives intertwine.

  • interconnected
  • melancholic
  • bittersweet
  • romantic
  • contemplative
  • quirky
  • Tone: bittersweet, melancholic
  • Pacing: variable, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Films in this thread typically follow several distinct characters whose stories are obliquely connected, often through a central theme or event like loss or a new beginning. The narrative structure allows for varied pacing, moving between moments of quiet contemplation, romantic tension, and tragic turns.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their unique blend of bittersweet tone and ensemble structure. They share a medium emotional weight, balancing tragic events with uplifting human connections, creating a contemplative yet engaging experience about the fragility and beauty of life.

Pet-Centric Emotional Stories like Life’s a Bitch

Films where relationships with animals catalyze profound human change. If you liked the role of pets in Life’s a Bitch, explore movies where animal companions are central to the plot. These films often deal with themes of grief, new beginnings, and romantic connections, blending tender moments with deeper emotional themes.

  • pet companionship
  • grief and loss
  • emotional
  • heartfelt
  • new beginnings
  • romantic obstacles
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a central character or group whose interaction with a pet creates a turning point. This often involves coping with loss (of a pet or person), overcoming personal obstacles, or finding unexpected love, with the animal's presence acting as a bridge between characters or emotional states.

Why they belong together: These films share a thematic focus on the human-animal bond as a source of both deep sorrow and profound healing. They typically feature a medium emotional weight, bittersweet tone, and explore themes of companionship and grief, creating a specific, heartfelt viewing experience.

If you liked this

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Similar movies to Life’s a Bitch: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Life’s a Bitch (2023) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Life’s a Bitch in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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