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Apple and A24 have officially dropped the first trailer for Highest 2 Lowest, the highly anticipated Kurosawa-inspired crime thriller that reunites legendary filmmaker Spike Lee with Oscar-winner Denzel Washington. The pair hasn’t collaborated since Inside Man in 2006, and this new project—set in a tense, stylized New York City—marks a powerful return to form.
A reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low (itself adapted from Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom), Highest 2 Lowest shifts the action from post-war Japan to modern-day NYC. Washington stars as a music mogul whose world is turned upside down when a kidnapping goes wrong—not of his own child, but of his chauffeur’s son. The chilling mistake leads to a city-wide manhunt and moral reckoning, with Washington’s character forced to navigate personal guilt, public pressure, and mounting tension as the situation spirals.
The film also stars A$AP Rocky, who is receiving early praise for his dramatic turn. Spike Lee himself has called attention to Rocky’s performance, saying, “Don’t sleep on A$AP.” This marks a major acting milestone for the rapper, whose presence alongside Washington signals a cross-generational clash as much as it does a team-up.
Joining them in the ensemble cast are Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, and Ice Spice, rounding out a dynamic mix of veteran performers and fresh faces. The film debuted out of competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, making it the sixth time Lee has brought a film to the prestigious event. Notably, this premiere coincided with the 36th anniversary of Do the Right Thing’s debut at Cannes, bringing Lee’s career full circle in a moment of reflection and celebration.
Spike Lee has hinted that Highest 2 Lowest could mark his final collaboration with Washington, saying, “This is it—Five.” The comment references the five films the duo has made together over three decades, cementing their place in modern cinematic history.
The screenplay comes from Alan Fox and Spike Lee, with production by Apple, A24, Escape Artists, and Mandalay Pictures. Producers include Todd Black and Jason Michael Berman, while Lee serves as executive producer under his 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks banner. Katia Washington, Peter Guber, and others also contributed as executive producers, with Jordan Moldo as co-producer.
Highest 2 Lowest hits theaters August 15 and will stream globally on Apple TV+ starting September 5.
