Early reactions to Spike Lee’sHighest 2 Lowestare in, with critics highlighting Denzel Washington’s performance. Premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 19, the neo-noir crime thriller is an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 filmHigh and Low, loosely based on Ed McBain’s novel,King’s Ransom.Washington stars as a musical mogul entangled in a ransom plot.
The early reviews for Lee’s new thriller are in, with many praising the director’s unique approach and modern reinterpretation of an otherwise bleak film. Washington’s portrayal of David King has been hailed by many asone of the actor’s best works. Check out some of the responses below:
@ThePlaylistNewsdeclares thatHighest 2 Lowest “brings out the best in Denzel Washington.”
Barry HertzatThe Globe and Mailteased the upcoming movie as “a fantastic mess” and a “thunderous confrontation” between Washington and rapper A$AP Rocky.
David EhrlichofIndieWirepraises Lee’s delivery as a “jarringly fun” reinterpretation, with King being Washington’s “most commanding screen performance.”
Deadlineis impressed by Washington’s fifth collaboration with Lee, but voices louder praise for A$AP Rocky.
The Hollywood Reporterteases in their review that one scene features Washington and his antagonist in a hilarious rap battle in the new “dazzling thriller” packed with “great music.”
@NathanFrancisofThe Guardiannotes the actor’s “magnificent form” in his new role, set in the music industry, with a plot that explores his morals when finding out that the kidnapper has mistakenly taken his godson instead of his own child.
While the film has generally received compliments,The Independent, on the other hand, was less impressed by Washington’s performance, calling it “one-note.”
What The Early Reactions Mean For Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest
Highest 2 Lowest Finds Washington In A Moral Dilemma
Spike Lee has taken a lot of creative freedom when reimagining the world and story inHigh and Low. The result is an entertaining neo-thriller that reflects its title,Highest 2 Lowest. The story placesDavid King in a complicated moral dilemmaas the situation evolves from his own son’s abduction to his godson’s. As long-time collaborators who have worked together to deliver classics and critically acclaimed movies such asMalcolm XandInside Man, the movie reflects the high quality of their work, according to most reviews.
Apple TV+’s trailer forHighest 2 Lowestoffers a glimpse of the new thriller and its upbeat tone, coming to theaters on August 22 and the streaming platform on September 5. With a rhythmic feel, the trailerteases the movie’s unique pacingand Washington’s titular music producer without giving too much away.
Our Take On Highest 2 Lowest
Another Great Movie From Spike Lee And Denzel Washington
Highest 2 Lowesttells a serious story with a jarringly upbeat tone, which itself is a challenge, but based on the early reviews, it seems thatSpike Lee has found the perfect balance for the unique project. While the originalHigh and Lowexplores a post-war class struggle and societal decay, the latest collaboration betweenLee and Washingtonleans more into the discussion of morality.
Denzel Washington has a talent for playing morally complex characters. Known for his range and versatility, morally gray characters likeTobin Frost inSafe Houseand Joe Beacon inThe Little Thingsare where the actor shines. After last year’sGladiator II, where he played a villain,Highest 2 Lowestfinds him in a more nuanced role, as David King isn’t really a villain, but a man with flaws.
