The plot centres around the interracial romance between a successful married black executive, Flipper Purify (played by Snipes), and an Italian-American woman, Angie Tucci (played by Sciorra), at his place of work in New York. Both of them come under intense pressure from their friends and family. A sub plot considers the problems of drug abuse, with Purify's brother 'Gator (played by Samuel L. Jackson) a suffering crack addict.
The title of the film reflects the plot. The term "Jungle Fever" refers to an individual's intense sexual attraction primarily to those of another race.
