Review: “Highest 2 Lowest” – Spike Lee and Denzel Washington Reunite for a High-Stakes Love Letter to New York ★★★★★

It’s been 18 years since audiences last witnessed the electrifying partnership of Denzel Washington and Spike Lee on the big screen. Highest 2 Lowest, the new crime thriller from the Academy Award-winning filmmaker, marks his 24th narrative feature—and his first in more than a decade set and shot entirely in New York City. The result is a high-octane, nail-biting masterpiece that doubles as both a gripping morality tale and a heartfelt ode to the city that never sleeps.

As the joint opens, Manhattan unfurls in all its cinematic glory—steel and glass bathed in golden light—before we meet David King (Washington), a power broker whose phone call atop a midtown skyscraper sets the film’s pulse. The deal he’s brokering isn’t just business—it’s survival. King maneuvers with a quiet intensity, his presence commanding every frame.

Lee’s narrative is a modern-day reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic High and Low, refracted through the hustle, grit, and glamour of New York. The story’s beating heart is a moral dilemma: when life, money, and reputation collide, which would you choose? “All money ain’t good money,” the film reminds us, echoing through every betrayal, every split-second decision, every act of defiance. Washington delivers one of his most profound performances to date, his monologue on the unpredictable tides of both the industry and life itself hitting like a master class in emotional truth.

A$AP Rocky as Yung Felon is a revelation here, his character a volatile yet magnetic foil to Washington’s controlled gravitas. Their climactic studio standoff—equal parts psychological warfare and lyrical dexterity—erupts into an unexpected rap battle that is as tense as it is thrilling. Rocky’s charisma is undeniable, matching Denzel beat for beat.

Spike Lee, always a director with a sharp cultural eye, peppers the film with clever winks and nods to Black Panther, including a show-stopping moment of Denzel in full costume—a playful but pointed nod to Black excellence in cinema. Lee also weaves in the omnipresence of social media, using it as both a narrative tool and a reflection of how the kidnapping at the film’s core spreads, shaping public opinion and fueling the stakes.

This abduction, deeply personal for King, becomes more than a criminal act—it forces him to confront the strained relationship with his son Trey (effortlessly portrayed by Aubrey Joseph) as he navigates the complex social media criticisms worried about his best friend. The emotional throughline is raw and urgent, reminding us that beneath the high-octane spectacle, this is a story about family, love, and the choices that define us.

Ilfenesh Hadera is magnetic as the matriarch powerhouse trying to keep the fractured family balanced while carrying the weight of a worried mother. Her style is impeccable—each scene a masterclass in power dressing—and her quiet strength brings a grounding force to the chaos.

Jeffrey Wright’s potent turn adds layers of intrigue, while cameos from familiar “Spike Lee Joint” alumni—Rosie Perez, Anthony Ramos, and more—offer delightful nods for longtime fans. The film’s most breathtaking sequence arrives at its emotional apex: the great Eddie Palmieri, introduced by Anthony Ramos and Rosie Perez, performing live against the bustling chaos of New York’s streets. The music swells as subway trains roar, cab horns blare, and pedestrians surge—a sensory explosion of sound, color, and rhythm that only Spike could choreograph.

Speaking of movement, Highest 2 Lowest boasts some of the most exhilarating chase sequences in recent memory—barreling through the labyrinthine New York subway system, darting across crowded intersections, weaving through back alleys, and even tearing across the Brooklyn Bridge in a rain-slicked, heart-pounding finale.

Visually, the film is a feast. Cinematographer Matthew Libatique captures the city’s contradictions—opulence and decay, intimacy and vastness—with a painter’s precision. The score by Howard Drossin blends Jazz, Latin rhythms, Funk and Hip Hop into a sonic tapestry that propels the action without overpowering it.

With Highest 2 Lowest, Spike Lee reminds us why he remains one of cinema’s most vital voices. It’s a film that doesn’t just entertain—it provokes, celebrates, and challenges. Anchored by powerhouse performances, dynamic music, and jaw-dropping visuals, it’s an instant classic.

Opening Day: In theaters nationwide August 15, 2025.

Streaming: Available on Apple TV+ starting September 5.