David Cronenberg writes and directs this controversial adaptation of J.G. Ballard's novel which explores the relationship between sex and danger. Film producer James Ballard (James Spader) becomes sexually aroused by car crashes after colliding with a car driven by Dr Helen Remington (Holly Hunter).

Through Helen, who shares his arousal, James meets Bob Vaughan (Elias Koteas), who enjoys staging and causing car crashes; James then introduces his wife, Catherine (Deborah Kara Unger), to Vaughan, and the two embark on a sexual relationship.