Highest 2 Lowest

Highest 2 Lowest

A Spike Lee Joint with Many Layers

★★★½☆

A soulful, New York-centric reimagining of a Kurosawa classic.

Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest is a film of many layers. On one level, the movie is a loose remake of Akira Kurosawa's classic noir High and Low. But it is also a love letter to the city of New York, highlighting the urban beauty and melting pot community that makes the city so unique. It’s a vibrant, good-hearted crime thriller that thrives on the electric chemistry between its director and its legendary lead.

" Just attempting to remake the movie is probably viewed by most cinema purists as a fool's folly. But if one views the film in the prism of being just a Spike Lee joint, the movie is actually a rousing success. "

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Spike Lee
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright
• Supporting: ASAP Rocky, Ice Spice, Dean Winters
• Cinematography: Matthew Libatique

The Vision

This film is a strong sociological examination of old-school philosophy vs. the new school. It’s also an examination of the ruthlessness and politics of the modern business world—complete with backstabbings and ruthless negotiations. If you view it through the prism of being a "Spike Lee Joint," it is a rousing success, blending genre thrills with a deep sense of place and culture.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Fifth Collaboration: This marks the fifth time Denzel Washington and Spike Lee have worked together, their first since 2006's Inside Man.
• Apple & A24: The film was produced by Apple Original Films but secured a full theatrical release through A24.
• Kurosawa Roots: A western adaptation of an eastern adaptation of a western book—it traces its lineage back to Ed McBain's 1959 novel King's Ransom.

✅ Pros

• Denzel Washington’s commanding and nuanced lead performance.
• Vibrant cinematography that acts as a definitive NYC travelogue.
• Strong, modern take on class and generational conflict.

❌ Cons

• 133-minute runtime feels slightly over-extended in the second act.
• Frequent musical sequences can occasionally disrupt the narrative tension.

🏆 Final Verdict

A soulful and visually stunning homage to both New York City and Kurosawa’s legacy. While the pacing is occasionally indulgent, the partnership of Lee and Washington remains one of cinema's most potent forces.

View original review on Letterboxd