Spike Lee’s latest film “Highest 2 Lowest” is more than just a contemporary crime drama— but actually a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic “High and Low.”
While Kurosawa explored class, morality and greed through a tense kidnapping plot, Lee transplants those themes into modern Harlem, infusing the story with layers of music, ambition and family loyalty while still being able to mirror the original’s central moral tension: what are you willing to risk to protect what matters most?
The film follows David King, played by Denzel Washington, a titan music mogul who has built an empire for himself with his sonic excellence, as he is widely known as having the “best ears in the business.” But when he is suddenly targeted with a ransom plot, he is forced to fight for his family and legacy while jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.
Where Kurosawa’s world revolved around corporate power and societal hierarchy, Lee’s interpretation helps translate that ambition into today’s cultural landscape, pitting two idols against one another.
Instead of making A$AP Rocky’s character just some bystander in another crime story, he is the rising force trying to make a name for himself in music and business, while also willing to put others’ lives at stake. Every beat, lyric and decision made by his character, Yung Felon, carries the weight of legacy and self-assertion, echoing the high-stakes tension of the original film’s moral dilemma.
Denzel Washington and Ilfenesh Hadera in "Highest 2 Lowest. Photo courtesy of Apple Tv+
At the same time, the film emphasizes family—both literal and chosen. Washington’s character David King fights not only to safeguard his loved ones, but also to protect the music that helped shape him. This duality of personal ambition and responsibility mirrors the careful balancing act in Kurosawa’s “High and Low,” where morality and survival collide.
Through this lens, Lee creates a story that feels both contemporary and timeless: a narrative where ambition, artistry and loyalty intersect and where every choice can lift you to the highest heights— or plunge you to the lowest depths.
A$AP Rocky in "Highest 2 Lowest,". Photo courtesy of Apple Tv+
The setting taking place in Harlem embodies both the promise of ascent and the weight of responsibility, reminding Rocky’s character that every success carries the echoes of those who came before. Through Lee’s lens, the city is more than a setting — it’s a living, breathing character that shapes the story, the stakes and the characters themselves.
Spike Lee uses the neighborhood’s vibrant streets, music venues, and historic spaces to mirror the tension between ambition and morality. For Rocky’s character, Harlem represents both opportunity and responsibility: it is where his musical and business aspirations are forged, but also where loyalty to family and community is constantly tested. The urban landscape reinforces the duality of “highs” and “lows,” grounding the story in a culturally rich setting that is inseparable from the narrative’s heart and pulse.
Jeffrey Wright in "Highest 2 Lowest,". Photo courtesy of Apple Tv+
Beyond the narrative, Lee’s filmmaking choices add another layer of depth to the story. The cinematography captures Harlem’s vibrant streets with a kinetic energy that mirrors the rhythm of music-making, while the score pulses with tension, echoing the emotional stakes at play.
Lee’s use of long takes and carefully framed shots emphasizes both the isolation and connection between characters, highlighting how personal ambition can collide with communal obligations. The interplay between Rocky and Washington is especially striking; the duality of their characters— one emerging, one established— creates a constant tension that drives the film forward. It’s a dynamic that feels both generational and thematic, reflecting the ongoing struggle between legacy, morality and the pursuit of self-realization.
Denzel Washington in "Highest 2 Lowest,". Photo courtesy of Apple Tv+
You may be wondering why this hasn’t been playing at your local AMC, and there’s actually a good reason for that. Spike had the film co-produced by Apple Original Films and A24, with A24 handling the theatrical distribution.
This technique has proved to help Lee primarily make mid-budget, adult-skewing movies, a genre that has struggled in theaters in recent years. So, later on, the film debuted in just 200 theaters nationwide on August 15, before eventually becoming available for streaming on Apple TV+ on Sept. 5.
Funny enough, the release date of “Highest 2 Lowest” also carries profound significance for Spike, marking a meaningful full-circle moment in his storied career. The film’s world premiere on May 19, 2025 at the Cannes Film Festival coincided with the 36th anniversary of the premiere of Lee’s breakthrough classic, “Do the Right Thing,” which first screened at the festival in 1989.
Additionally, May 19 also marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of civil rights leader Malcolm X, whose life Lee depicted in the 1992 film “Malcolm X,” starring Denzel Washington. This convergence of dates adds another layer of historical and personal resonance to the film’s release, highlighting Lee’s commitment to exploring themes of justice, identity and social change through his work.
It’s a reminder that for Lee, filmmaking is rarely just entertainment— it is a conversation with history, culture and the moral questions that define society, delivered with energy, style and uncompromising vision.
