When Halle Berry turns into Catwoman in this new incarnation of the comic strip character, she discovers that she is the latest in a long line of women selected down the ages to become the super sleek female with feline senses. This could explain why her alter ego is called Patience Philips and not Selina Kyle, the name of the character who was introduced in the comic books in the mid-1940s and as played by Michelle Pfeiffer in 1992s Batman Returns.
Meek and mild Patience works as a graphic designer for a cosmetics company run by the despotic George Hedare (Lambert Wilson) and his supermodel wife, Lauren (Sharon Stone). When Patience uncovers a conspiracy relating to the companys soon-to-be-released anti-aging product, what happens brings about the change that gives her the strength, speed and agility of a cat.
As she explores her newfound power as Catwoman, she is guided by her mentor, Ophelia Powers (Frances Conroy), but finds she teeters on a fine line between good and bad. She must also balance her double life as Patience, whose relationship with detective Tom Lone (Benjamin Bratt) is getting serious, and as Catwoman with whom Tom becomes equally fascinated as he investigates a series of crimes that have apparently been committed by her.
Catwoman goes on the prowl to settle a few scores, all the time becoming stronger as the line between her two personalities becomes more blurred