Denzel Washington’s ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Debuts With a Stellar Rotten Tomatoes Score: “Spike Lee at His Most Accessible”

Spike Lee’s latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, is a 2025 American neo-noir crime thriller that reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low. The movie is also loosely based on Ed McBain’s 1959 novel King’s Ransom.

The film stars Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky, and Ice Spice, who makes her big-screen debut. This marks the first time Lee and Washington have worked together since 2006’s Inside Man, making it a highly anticipated reunion.

Filming took place in New York City from March to May 2024. Highest 2 Lowest had its world premiere out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025. A24 is releasing the film in U.S. theaters on August 15, and it will become available on Apple TV+ on September 5.

Critics have generally responded positively. On Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 49 reviews were positive, while Metacritic gave it a score of 76 out of 100, signaling “generally favorable” reviews.

Denzel Washington stars in the official trailer for Spike Lee's #Highest2Lowest (🍅89%). pic.twitter.com/C3fPquRq1x

— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) August 4, 2025

Many praised Denzel Washington’s performance, calling it Oscar-caliber. Sources described his portrayal of a powerful music executive facing a moral crisis as extraordinary, and even with strong support from Jeffrey Wright, Washington dominates the screen. The cinematography and music also received high marks, and reviewers noted that Lee’s New York is vibrant, alive, and almost a character in its own right.

Denzel Washington gives an Oscar-caliber performance as a powerful music executive facing a deadly moral dilemma. Highest 2 Lowest continues to prove why Washington is arguably the best actor of his generation.

Julian Roman

Highest 2 Lowest features an unprecedented performance from Denzel Washington, impressive cinematography, and fantastic music. However, the story is so shackled to safe and expected circumstances that it tethers the film to certain mediocrity.

Chris Sawin

The director’s desire to show off New York in all of its sweltering, swarming diversity has rarely been so palpable, and the city plays itself with aplomb.

Adam Nayman

Denzel: he’s one name now. He can do no wrong. Even with Jeffrey Wright seriously trying to pull attention as the second banana, Denzel knows to pay out his charms slowly. By the time he builds to a crescendo, you see what greatness on film can be.

Roger Friedman

Highest 2 Lowest is Spike Lee at his most accessible and at the same time his most provocative. [Full review in Spanish]

Ruben Peralta Rigaud

However, not all critics were impressed. Some felt the story was too safe and predictable, preventing the film from reaching its full potential. Others suggested that compared to Lee’s previous crime thrillers, the movie struggles to find a unique voice, feeling more like a TV movie than a cinematic event. While Washington’s performance remains a highlight, the narrative’s conventional approach left some reviewers disappointed.

At best it’s a Saturday Night TV movie – not meant for the big screen in any way. At worst the studio should scrap it to save face with Kurosawa and save themselves from tarnishing his legacy.

Alex Billington

Lee has made stunningly good crime thrillers – Clockers and 25th Hour – but like his protagonist, here he appears to be struggling to stay relevant and still use his own unique voice.

John Bleasdale

If attention is your greatest currency, spend it elsewhere.

Sarah Manvel

Overall, Highest 2 Lowest is recognized for its strong performances, striking visuals, and compelling depiction of New York, but opinions are divided over the story’s originality and impact.

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