Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest: A Powerful Modern Reimagining of Kurosawa’s Classic

Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest is a dynamic and stylish remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 noir masterpiece High and Low, which was originally based on Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom. Relocating the story from Yokohama to present-day New York City, Lee injects the film with his signature energy, bringing in elements of hip-hop culture, the city’s electric atmosphere, and a sharp social lens.

At the heart of the story is Denzel Washington’s portrayal of David King, a wealthy and influential music producer. King’s life spirals when his chauffeur’s son is mistakenly kidnapped instead of his own. The plot centers around a critical moral dilemma—should King sacrifice a fortune to save someone else’s child? This question drives the narrative, touching on themes of privilege, justice, and personal responsibility.

Lee’s adaptation softens the sharp class divide explored in Kurosawa’s original but replaces it with contemporary themes like racial profiling, systemic inequality, and the impact of modern technology such as GPS tracking. The result is a story that feels both timeless and timely.

The film features a stellar supporting cast, including Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, Ice Spice (in her film debut), and A$AP Rocky. One standout scene involves a tense money drop at a packed Yankee Stadium, adding to the film’s urban tension and cinematic flair.

With a runtime of 133 minutes, Highest 2 Lowest is visually rich and emotionally resonant. Cinematographer Matthew Libatique captures the pulse of New York with vibrant detail, and composer Howard Drossin enhances the suspense and emotion with a bold musical score.

Premiering out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025, the film was met with acclaim for its originality and intensity. It is set to be released in U.S. theaters by A24 on August 22, 2025, and will be available for streaming on Apple TV+ starting September 5, 2025.

Critics have lauded Lee’s storytelling and Washington’s commanding performance. Robert Daniels of RogerEbert.com gave the film three and a half stars, describing it as a rich fusion of influences and a meaningful chapter in Lee’s storied career.

Ultimately, Highest 2 Lowest is more than a remake—it’s a cultural remix that bridges classic cinema with urgent contemporary themes, marking another bold achievement in Spike Lee’s filmography.