In a vibrant and divided New York City, two rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, vie for control of their neighborhood. The Jets, a group of white working-class youths, are led by Riff, while the Sharks, Puerto Rican immigrants, are led by Bernardo. Amidst this tension, Tony, a former member of the Jets and close friend of Riff, meets María, Bernardo's sister, at a community dance. Despite the animosity between their groups, Tony and María are instantly drawn to each other and fall in love, creating a secret and forbidden romance.

As tension escalates between the gangs, Riff challenges Bernardo to a rumble to settle their differences once and for all. Tony, hoping to prevent further violence, seeks to mediate the conflict but finds himself increasingly entangled in the feud. Both gangs prepare for the imminent showdown, and the consequences of their confrontations ripple through their community. Amidst the turmoil, Tony and María grapple with their feelings and the challenging reality of their circumstances, hoping that their love can somehow overcome the hatred and violence surrounding them.