Highest 2 Lowest (2025) Review – Spike Lee & Denzel Washington Deliver a Gritty Urban Epic

After nearly two decades, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington reunite in Highest 2 Lowest, a gripping crime thriller that reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low for a new generation. Released theatrically on August 15, 2025 by A24 and landing on Apple TV+ from September 5, this stylish remake blends classic suspense with the rhythm of modern New York.

📖 Story – Music, Morality & the Price of Power

At the center of the film is David King (Denzel Washington), a legendary New York music mogul with a reputation as having “the best ears in the business.” King is on the verge of regaining control of his record label, Stackin’ Hits Records, but his high-stakes deal is suddenly jeopardized when kidnappers strike.

The twist? The target isn’t his son Trey but Trey’s best friend Kyle, the son of King’s loyal driver Paul. With $17.5 million on the line, King must decide: save a child who isn’t his own, or protect his empire.

The tension escalates across Brooklyn subways, Harlem backstreets, and music studios, until King faces off with the man behind it all — Yung Felon (ASAP Rocky), an ambitious rapper who once idolized him but now feels betrayed. Their confrontation turns into an unforgettable mix of rap battle, confession, and gunfight, where loyalty and survival collide.

🌆 New York as the Beating Heart

Spike Lee transforms New York into more than just a backdrop. From the colorful Puerto Rican Day Parade to the dark, claustrophobic subway tunnels, the city pulses like a character itself. The film captures the duality of New York — glamorous penthouses versus gritty streets — showing how ambition can rise or fall within the same skyline.

⭐ Performances That Steal the Spotlight

• Denzel Washington anchors the film with a commanding, layered performance as a mogul torn between morality and ambition.

• Jeffrey Wright shines with quiet strength as Paul, a father desperate to save his son.

• ASAP Rocky is a revelation as Yung Felon, balancing menace, charisma, and tragedy in a career-defining role.

• Ice Spice makes a notable film debut, while Princess Nokia adds energy and authenticity to the music-driven world.

The dynamic between Washington and Rocky crackles on screen, particularly in their climactic showdown — part lyrical duel, part survival battle.

🍿 Reception – A Modern Classic in the Making

Audiences and critics alike have embraced Highest 2 Lowest as both a tribute to the original story and a fresh, contemporary vision. Praise has been directed toward the film’s vibrant style, emotional depth, and fearless performances.

Many are calling it one of Spike Lee’s most invigorating works in years, and a return to form for his partnership with Denzel Washington.

🎤 Themes That Hit Hard

The film asks big questions that resonate beyond its crime-thriller frame:

• 🎶 What happens when art and business collide?

• 👨‍👦 What does true fatherhood mean — blood or loyalty?

• ⚖️ How far would you go to save someone else’s child?

It’s not just a story about kidnapping — it’s about legacy, power, and the cost of conscience.

📺 Streaming & Release

• Theatrical Release: August 15, 2025

• Streaming: Apple TV+ from September 5, 2025

🎬 Final Verdict

Highest 2 Lowest is a masterful mix of suspense, style, and social commentary. Spike Lee’s direction and Denzel Washington’s commanding presence create a film that feels both classic and urgently modern. The movie doesn’t just retell Kurosawa’s story — it reinvents it for today’s world of hip-hop, power, and fractured loyalty.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 – A bold and electrifying thriller that keeps you thinking long after the credits roll.