Breaking: The first trailer for Highest 2 Lowest, a new crime thriller from Apple and A24 starring Denzel Washington and directed by Spike Lee, has been released today, July 25, 2024. The film marks the highly anticipated reunion of washington and Lee, nearly two decades after their prosperous collaboration on Inside Man.
Highest 2 Lowest is a modern adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low,which was itself based on Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom. The story centers on a powerful music mogul, portrayed by Washington, who finds himself facing a complex extortion plot in contemporary New York City. The original High and Low focused on a shoe company executive whose chauffeur’s son is mistakenly kidnapped, leading to a tense ransom situation. This new iteration promises a similar level of suspense and intrigue, updated for a modern audience.
The impressive cast also includes A$AP Rocky, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, and rising rap star Ice Spice. Highest 2 Lowest premiered out of competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2025 – exactly 36 years after Lee’s debut at Cannes with Do the Right Thing in 1989. This marks Lee’s sixth time being selected for the Cannes Official Selection.
The film is slated for a theatrical release on August 15, 2024, followed by its availability on Apple TV+ starting September 5, 2024. Production was a collaborative effort between Apple, A24, Escape Artists, and Mandalay Pictures. Alan Fox and Spike Lee co-wrote the screenplay. Todd Black of Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman of Mandalay Pictures served as producers. Executive producers include Spike Lee (40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks), Peter Guber (mandalay), Matthew Lindner, Chris Brigham, and Katia Washington (Juniper productions), with Jordan Moldo of Mandalay Pictures as co-producer.
The trailer, now available for viewing, offers a glimpse into the film’s gritty atmosphere and compelling narrative. Highest 2 Lowest is expected to be a major draw for both cinephiles and fans of the involved talent.
