‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Becomes Highest-Rated Lee-Washington Collab
*Denzel Washington and Spike Lee have reached a new peak with their latest film, “Highest 2 Lowest.” The A24 and Apple Original film currently holds a 92% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rated collaboration between the iconic actor-director duo. That puts it ahead of classics like Malcolm X and Inside Man.
The 92% score is based on 12 early critic reviews. Though no audience score is listed yet, that is expected to change when the film hits theaters on August 22, 2025, followed by its Apple TV+ streaming release on September 5. Critics have praised the film for its energy and visual storytelling. Collider’s Therese Lacson called it “vibrant, loud, and full of life,” and added it was “a delight to watch.”
This new success comes nearly 20 years after Washington and Lee last teamed up on 2006’s Inside Man, which holds an 86% critic score and 85% audience rating. Their most iconic collaboration, the 1992 biopic Malcolm X, sits just behind with an 89% critic score and 91% audience score. But for now, Highest 2 Lowest leads the pack, Collider is reporting.
‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Reimagines Kurosawa’s Classic with Modern Twist
Loosely inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller High and Low, Highest 2 Lowest centers on music executive David King (played by Washington). At the top of his career, King is pulled into a high-stakes crisis when the son of his chauffeur (played by Jeffrey Wright) is kidnapped. As the story unfolds, King faces difficult moral decisions that could cost him everything.
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The film blends crime, social commentary, and intense drama, a hallmark of Spike Lee’s style. Alongside Washington and Wright, the ensemble cast includes A$AP Rocky, Ice Spice, Dean Winters, Ilfenesh Hadera, and more. The chemistry between the seasoned and younger stars adds depth to the emotionally charged storyline.
Creative Team and Release Plans
Spike Lee directed Highest 2 Lowest from a script he co-wrote with Alan Fox. The project was produced by Todd Black (Escape Artists) and Jason Michael Berman (Mandalay Pictures).
Executive producers include Peter Guber, Chris Brigham, Katia Washington, and Matthew Lindner, with Lee producing under his 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks banner.
Highest 2 Lowest is scheduled for theatrical release on August 22, 2025, followed by an Apple TV+ streaming debut on September 5, 2025. With early critical praise and two legends at the helm, it’s poised to be one of the standout films of the year.
Fans of both Washington and Lee can look forward to a film that not only honors their past work but also sets a new standard for their future collaborations. As awards season nears, all eyes are on whether “Highest 2 Lowest” will convert critical buzz into gold.
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