‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Unveils Bold New Poster and Streaming Date!

Spike Lee’s new film Highest 2 Lowest is generating a lot of buzz as it gets ready for release in a few short weeks.

This American neo-noir crime thriller is a fresh take on Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, which itself was loosely based on the 1959 novel King’s Ransom by Ed McBain. The movie stars Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky, and introduces Ice Spice in her first film role.

Filming started in New York City in March 2024 and finished in May of the same year. The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025, where it was shown out of competition.

Fans can catch it in U.S. theaters starting August 22, with streaming on Apple TV+ set for September 5, according to information from A24 and festival announcements.

The story is a modern update of High and Low. Denzel Washington plays David King, and the cast includes Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and ASAP Rocky, who Spike Lee has said has a “main role.” Ice Spice plays Marisol Cepeda, marking a big moment for her acting debut. Other familiar faces like Dean Winters, LaChanze, and Wendell Pierce also appear, alongside cameo appearances from Eddie Palmieri, Anthony Ramos, and Rosie Perez.

Spike Lee got involved early on after reading the original script by William Alan Fox. He helped rewrite it once Denzel Washington joined the project. This film marks the fifth time Lee and Washington have worked together, their latest since Inside Man in 2006. Matthew Libatique was the cinematographer for the film, which wrapped principal photography in late May 2024.

A new poster for Highest 2 Lowest was recently revealed, giving fans their first real look at the film’s dark, stylish tone. The poster hints at the neo-noir vibe and strong performances expected in the movie.

Critics seem to be loving the film so far. On Rotten Tomatoes, 89% of 36 reviews are positive, and Metacritic gave it a solid 76 out of 100, showing generally favorable opinions.

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