It’s been almost 20 years since Spike Lee and Denzel Washington last collaborated with 2006’s Inside Man. It was worth the wait, as in Highest 2 Lowest, we get Washington at his showiest, playing the charismatic and stylish music mogul, David King. Based on Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, Lee is not trying to imitate Kurosawa’s story. The original film, itself based on the book King’s Ransom by Evan Hunter, is a police procedural. It’s a crime movie that breaks from Kurosawa’s own earlier films, focusing more on the moral quandary that the protagonist must face when backed into a corner and forced to choose between his money and his integrity. Highest 2 Lowest investigates the same dilemma but does so in a completely new way. Vibrant, loud, and full of life, Highest 2 Lowest is an upbeat film that is a tonal shift from the original, but, thanks in large part to Washington’s powerhouse performance, it is a delight to watch.
‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Is a Sharp Shift From Kurosawa’s ‘High and Low’

Image Via A24/Apple

One thing that became immediately obvious to me when watching Highest 2 Lowest is that while Spike Lee certainly does draw inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, he is not trying to imitate the auteur. In fact, he takes a totally different tonal direction. In the original 1963 film, the tone is much more somber as Toshiro Mifune’s Gondo is forced to trade his entire fortune for the life of the son of his chauffeur. It’s tense, it’s gutwrenching, and when he inevitably decides to pay the ransom, we feel for him. The ultimate commentary on the socioeconomic disparity is clear in the film, as we never really get to know the kidnapper. All we know is that he sees Gondo’s wealth and his display of it as an affront, forced to see his palatial house every day from his cluttered apartment down at the bottom of the hill.
In contrast, Highest 2 Lowest is far punchier. Here, David King is not an executive at a shoe company but a famous music producer. He’s a hitmaker, a kingmaker, the man with the best ear in the business. When faced with the reality that his son is safe, but his chauffeur, Paul’s (Jeffrey Wright) son, has been kidnapped instead, he faces the same dilemma of whether or not to pay the ransom. Kurosawa leaves the money retrieval to the cops, who plan out elaborate schemes to trick the kidnapper, whereas Lee puts this job into the hands of Washington himself. The commentary about the haves and the have-nots is completely dialed back. And, although that makes the movie a more fun and simpler watch, it also weakens the messaging behind the film.
‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Struggles With a Solid Theme, but Shines in Presentation

Image Via A24/Apple

The message of Highest 2 Lowest is often a bit muddled. In the original film, Gondo’s wife is his voice of reason; she pleads with him to pay the ransom, as does his son. It’s not about the negative press if he doesn’t pay; it’s about doing the right thing. In Highest 2 Lowest, with the integration of media and social media, it feels less about doing the right thing and more about making sure to do it in the eyes of the public. David’s wife, Pam (Ilfenesh Hadera), is far more reluctant to pay the ransom, and it ultimately makes both of the characters seem colder and more selfish as a result. What finally pushes him to act is public perception, not because he wants to make the moral choice.

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This is made worse by the fact that David and Paul are far closer than Gondo was to Aoki (Yutaka Sada), his chauffeur. Paul is David’s confidante, and David is godfather to his kidnapped son, and their kids are close friends. David comes off as quite headstrong when he instantly is willing to throw everything and the kitchen sink at getting his son back, but when his godson is in danger, his hesitation speaks volumes. Lee dabbles in topics like fame, business, and incarceration, but he never really leans into anything too strongly.
But what makes Highest 2 Lowest an enjoyable watch is the style that it exudes. From iconic needle drops to flashy sets, the film is colorful and a feast for the eyes. The opening sequence offers beautiful cityscape views of New York City, and throughout the film, Lee’s love for New York is obvious. From highlighting Puerto Rican musician Eddie Palmieri to spotlighting Black artists and musicians, Lee is not being subtle at all. The film is full of spectacle and exudes style in every frame, and that’s what makes it an enjoyable watch.
Denzel Washington Reminds Us All Why He’s the King in ‘Highest 2 Lowest’

At tip-top shape in the film is Denzel Washington. He is intense, hungry, and a shrewd businessman. At the same time, he’s a loving father and a devoted husband. A creative talent, we instinctively want to root for him. Much like Gondo in High and Low, Washington’s David King is a self-made man. He walks the walk and talks the talk. In Kurosawa’s film, Gondo got his start as a cobbler and dislikes the changes he sees in his company as they move toward a cheaper style of manufacturing that makes lower-quality products. In Lee’s film, we get that direct parallel as David sees his company getting preyed on by AI tech companies coming to chop up his business. Focused on highlighting up-and-coming artists, he’s still a man who knows which way the wind is blowing in the industry, even if he’s a bit long in the tooth.
Washington gives a powerful performance, his dialogue hitting a repetitive beat as he monologues across other characters, giving it an almost lyrical performance. His most significant scene is when he comes across A$AP Rocky’s Yung Felon. The young rapper who has idolized David all of his life argues with the older man, and the ensuing pseudo rap battle shows off not only Washington’s skill but also, impressively, A$AP Rocky’s ability to keep up with an actor of Washington’s caliber. Similarly, Washington’s best chemistry lies in his scenes with Jeffrey Wright’s Paul. Their relationship, while obviously separated by social rank, is still one that exudes warmth. There is a genuine love there that gives the relationship far more meat to hold onto.
Full of music and full of life, Spike Lee’s take on Kurosawa’s crime film is less crime drama and more caper. There’s a highly stylized air to the film that takes away the grounded nature of the original film but Lee’s creative eye is so compelling that it’s hard not to tap your feet to the beats and laugh when one of his characters screams “Boston sucks!” at the camera. While it’s far from Lee’s best, Highest 2 Lowest is an entertaining watch, and for lovers of Denzel Washington, it’s a must-see.
Highest 2 Lowest had its premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It will arrive in theaters on August 22 and on Apple TV+ on September 5.