Spike Lee and Denzel Washington’s Neo-Noir Thriller ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Drops First Trailer
Spike Lee’s new movie, Highest 2 Lowest, is making waves as a fresh take on Akira Kurosawa’s classic 1963 film High and Low.
This neo-noir crime thriller stars Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky, and introduces Ice Spice in her first film role. The movie is based on the 1959 novel King’s Ransom by Ed McBain, but Lee brings a modern and American twist to the story.
Filming started in New York City in March 2024 and wrapped up by May. The movie had its world premiere out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025. It’s set to hit theaters in the United States on August 15, with streaming on Apple TV+ to follow on September 5. The trailer for Highest 2 Lowest has just been released, giving fans a first look at the intense and stylish new film.
The story follows David King, played by Denzel Washington, and involves a tense crime plot set in a modern-day cityscape.
The cast also includes Jeffrey Wright as Paul Christopher, Ilfenesh Hadera as Pam King, ASAP Rocky in a major role as Yung Felony, and Ice Spice playing Marisol Cepeda. There are plenty of familiar faces too, like Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, and Wendell Pierce, along with special appearances by Eddie Palmieri, Anthony Ramos, and Rosie Perez as themselves.
Spike Lee got the original script before the pandemic and helped rewrite it once Denzel Washington signed on. The movie is a joint production by A24, Escape Artists, and Mandalay Pictures. This marks the fifth time Lee and Washington have worked together, their first project since Inside Man in 2006.
According to Lee, ASAP Rocky plays one of the main characters, showing the director’s interest in blending music and film talent.
The movie was shot on location in New York City with Matthew Libatique as cinematographer, known for his sharp and cinematic style. The shooting finished in late May 2024. Cannes Film Festival’s artistic director Thierry Frémaux confirmed the film’s premiere at Cannes, although the official lineup initially left it out while waiting on Denzel Washington’s attendance.
Critics have responded well so far. On Rotten Tomatoes, Highest 2 Lowest holds an 89% approval rating, while Metacritic gives it a solid score of 76, showing generally favorable reviews.
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