Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are teaming up again for their fifth movie together called Highest 2 Lowest. This new crime thriller is a fresh take on a classic Japanese film and is set to hit theaters soon. Fans of both the actor and director have been waiting nearly 20 years for this reunion since their last project in 2006.
The movie will open in theaters across the United States on Friday, August 15, 2025. After three weeks in cinemas, it will start streaming on Apple TV+ on September 5, 2025. Some lucky movie fans got to see it first at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 19, 2025.
What Is Highest 2 Lowest About?
Highest 2 Lowest tells the story of a powerful music boss named David King played by Denzel Washington. He faces a terrible choice when criminals demand money to return a kidnapped boy. The twist? The kidnappers took the wrong child by mistake but still want the cash.
The story is based on a famous 1963 Japanese movie called High and Low by Akira Kurosawa. That film was itself based on a book called King’s Ransom. Spike Lee has moved the action to modern-day New York City with a music business setting instead of the original shoe company background.
“This isn’t just a copy of Kurosawa’s great film,” said director Spike Lee. “We’re using it as a starting point to tell a new story that fits our times and place.”
Who Is in the Highest 2 Lowest Cast?
Denzel Washington leads the cast as music mogul David King. He’s joined by several well-known actors and some fresh faces making their movie debuts.
Main Cast Members:
- Jeffrey Wright as Paul Christopher, the father of the kidnapped boy
- Ilfenesh Hadera plays Pam King, David’s wife
- ASAP Rocky takes the role of Yung Felony, a key character in the ransom plot
- Ice Spice makes her first movie appearance as Marisol Cepeda
- Dean Winters and John Douglas Thompson as police detectives working the case
- Wendell Pierce as Gabe, another important character
Spike Lee had special praise for rapper ASAP Rocky’s acting skills in the film.
“Rocky wasn’t scared to go up against Denzel,” Lee said. “Some actors freeze when working with such a great performer, but Rocky held his own in every scene.”
Behind the Scenes of Highest 2 Lowest
Spike Lee first saw the script years before the COVID-19 pandemic but waited for the right time to make it. Production finally began in New York City in March 2024 and finished by the end of May that same year. The movie was filmed entirely in New York, with many scenes shot on real city streets.
The creative team includes:
- Director: Spike Lee
- Writer: Alan Fox
- Producers: Todd Black and Jason Michael Berman
- Music: Howard Drossin
- Cinematography: Matthew Libatique
This marks the fifth time Lee has directed Washington in a movie after their previous collaborations like Malcolm X and Inside Man. The two have been friends for decades and often attend basketball games together in New York.
Early Reviews and Reactions
Critics who saw Highest 2 Lowest at Cannes and early screenings have mostly praised the film. On Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of reviews are positive after 49 critics shared their thoughts. Another review site, Metacritic, gave it a 76 out of 100 score based on 19 reviews.
One reviewer wrote:
“Spike Lee isn’t copying Kurosawa’s masterpiece – he’s making something new that stands on its own while honoring the original. Denzel Washington delivers another powerful performance that reminds us why he’s one of the best actors working today.”
The movie runs for 2 hours and 13 minutes and carries an R rating mainly for strong language. Some drug content is also shown briefly. Fans of crime stories, New York settings, and powerful acting performances will likely enjoy this film.
Where to Watch Highest 2 Lowest
Starting August 15, 2025, audiences can see Highest 2 Lowest in theaters nationwide. Major theater chains like AMC, Regal, and others will show the film. After its theater run, it moves to Apple TV+ on September 5 for streaming.
The movie is a joint production between A24 and Apple Original Films. These companies have worked together before on other well-received projects. For those who want to watch at home, an Apple TV+ subscription costs $9.99 per month, with free trials available for new users.
