This is the fifth film by the powerhouse duo of Spike Lee & Denzel Washington — and their reunion feels like an event.

Spike Lee returns to feature filmmaking with Highest 2 Lowest, a modern crime thriller set in New York City, reuniting him with Denzel Washington and introducing new faces like A$AP Rocky to his cinematic canvas. (Festival de Cannes)

A Return to Form, with a Legendary Partnership

Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest marks his first feature film since Da 5 Bloods (2020), and his first collaboration with Washington in nearly twenty years — their last pairing was Inside Man in 2006. (Variety; TheWrap) Their partnership now spans five films, making this one a notable milestone in both of their filmographies. (TheWrap; People)

The story follows music mogul David King (Washington), widely known in the industry for his remarkable ear for talent, as his world is upended by a ransom plot. (Festival de Cannes; A24) King must navigate a perilous moral dilemma, balancing the survival of his empire, the safety of his loved ones, and his own integrity. (WBUR)

Lee draws direct lineage from Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low (1963), which itself was adapted from Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom. In Highest 2 Lowest, Lee reinterprets the classic’s themes of class, justice, and moral conflict — transporting them into the streets of modern New York. (Wikipedia; TheWrap; WBUR)

“One of the best things about film school is that you get introduced to world cinema, not just Hollywood… Seeing Kurosawa’s film Rashomon … inspired me to make She’s Gotta Have It … From the very beginning … I was influenced by Kurosawa,” Lee remarked in past commentary, underscoring his abiding respect for Japanese cinema.

Cast, Crew & Production Highlights

The cast is stacked: Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, John Douglas Thompson, Dean Winters, LaChanze, Princess Nokia, and Ice Spice (making her film debut). (Wikipedia; A24; DailyFly) Cinematographer Matthew Libatique — known for his visual mastery — shot the film, and production concluded in New York in May 2024. (TheWrap; A24)

The film’s Cannes premiere took place out of competition and earned an ovation from attendees, with Washington receiving a surprise honorary Palme d’Or during the screening. (Deadline; AP News)

Reception, Critiques & Themes

Critics are already weighing in. On Rotten Tomatoes, Highest 2 Lowest holds a strong score, signaling early critical favor. (Screenrant) Many praise Washington’s commanding presence, and Lee’s signature filmmaking touches — though some reviews point to tonal inconsistency or structural issues. (The Guardian; Independent reviews)

One review by Roger Ebert notes that the first half of the film plunges audiences into anxiety, while Washington’s portrayal of King gives the story emotional gravity. (Roger Ebert) Others applaud standout supporting performances — notably A$AP Rocky, whose role as a young rising artist brings unpredictable energy to the narrative. (Boston.com)

Yet some critics argue the film occasionally struggles to settle into a rhythm, hampered by pacing lulls or narrative detours. (The Guardian; CV Independent; AZFamily) Still, many agree that once the story moves onto the streets of New York and away from the penthouse-level tension, the film finds its pulse. (News & Sentinel)

Distribution & Theatrical Strategy

Highest 2 Lowest is produced by A24, Apple, Escape Artists, Mandalay Pictures, and Lee’s own 40 Acres & a Mule Filmworks. (A24) Its release strategy reflects the changed landscape of film distribution: Theatrically, it opened in mid-August 2025 (August 15 or 22 depending on regions), with a limited run before its streaming debut on Apple TV+ on September 5. (TheWrap; AP News; Decider)

Washington and Lee have acknowledged that Apple’s backing was instrumental to making the film. (TheWrap) In fact, Lee said, “This film would not have been made without Apple.” (TheWrap) The shift toward hybrid release models underscores how filmmakers must adapt to evolving audience habits and market constraints.

The Legacy & What’s Next

This reunion may carry extra weight — Lee has hinted it might be their last major collaboration. (People; The Guardian) With a decades-long shared history — from Mo’ Better Blues to Malcolm X, He Got Game, Inside Man, and now Highest 2 Lowest — their body of work is iconic. (TheWrap; Vanity Fair)

Beyond the reunion, the film is a statement: a contemporary thriller rooted in big ideas — power, morality, survival — filtered through the lens of urban life in New York. The city itself is a character, and Lee leans into visual motifs and moral tension to probe the inequalities and temptations of ambition. (New Yorker)

With Highest 2 Lowest, the world watches once more — not just to see what Spike Lee can do after several years away from features, but to see what new creative energy he brings to his deep partnership with Denzel Washington.