First Trailer Drops for Spike Lee and Denzel Washington’s Neo-Noir Thriller ‘Highest 2 Lowest’
Spike Lee’s new film Highest 2 Lowest is making waves with its recently released trailer, giving audiences their first real look at this stylish neo-noir crime thriller.
The movie stars Denzel Washington and is a fresh take on Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low. This American version brings the story into today’s world, exploring crime, loyalty, and power in a gripping new way.
Highest 2 Lowest features a strong cast alongside Washington, including Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky, and Ice Spice, who makes her film debut here. The film’s story centers around David King, played by Washington, and the tense drama that unfolds when a kidnapping turns his world upside down.
The cast also includes familiar faces like Dean Winters and Wendell Pierce, with appearances by Eddie Palmieri, Anthony Ramos, and Rosie Perez as themselves.
The movie was filmed in New York City, with principal photography starting in March 2024 and wrapping up by the end of May. Spike Lee worked closely with cinematographer Matthew Libatique, capturing the city’s mood perfectly on film.
This marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and Washington, who last worked together on Inside Man back in 2006. Lee also rewrote the original script by Alan Fox after Washington signed on, shaping the story to fit his vision.
Highest 2 Lowest had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025, where it was shown out of competition. The film is set to hit theaters in the United States on August 15, 2025, before becoming available for streaming on Apple TV+ on September 5. According to Thierry Frémaux, the artistic director of Cannes, the film’s premiere was eagerly anticipated but wasn’t listed in the official lineup initially because they were waiting on confirmation of Washington’s attendance.
Critics have responded well to the film so far. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 89% positive rating, and Metacritic gives it a score of 76 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews.
The newly revealed trailer offers a glimpse into the intense performances and the dark, stylish world Lee has created. Fans of crime thrillers and Spike Lee’s work won’t want to miss this one when it hits screens later this summer.
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