It’s a collaboration that film lovers eagerly anticipate every time it happens: Spike Lee directing, and Denzel Washington starring. With a track record that includes unforgettable films like Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man, this director-actor duo has consistently delivered powerful, memorable performances. Their upcoming movie, Highest 2 Lowest, promises to keep that streak going strong.
The new film is a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller High and Low, starring Toshirô Mifune. In Highest 2 Lowest, Washington plays a high-powered music mogul with “the best ears in the business” who becomes entangled in a high-stakes ransom plot. Alongside Washington, the movie features an impressive cast, including A$AP Rocky, Ice Spice, Jeffrey Wright, and Ilfenesh Hadera.
A recent teaser trailer has generated significant buzz, offering a glimpse into the film’s tense, fast-paced action. The trailer opens with Washington’s unmistakable voice, introducing a scene with animated shots of the Brooklyn Bridge. “There’s more to life than just making money,” he says, before the music shifts to James Brown’s iconic “The Payback,” building anticipation. The trailer quickly cuts to a chaotic series of scenes: Washington wearing solid gold Beats headphones, A$AP Rocky in both the recording booth and the courtroom, Jeffrey Wright holding a gun, and police sirens wailing in the background.
As the tension builds, Washington delivers a monologue that perfectly captures the essence of the movie. “Can you handle the mayhem? Can you handle the money? Can you handle the success? Can you handle the failure? Can you handle the lovers? Can you handle the memes?” he spits out, embodying the high-energy style that Lee is known for.
While we’ve only seen a brief 50-second teaser, it’s clear that Highest 2 Lowest is set to be a thrilling ride from start to finish. The chemistry between Lee and Washington is undeniable, and the film’s mix of drama, suspense, and social commentary is bound to strike a chord with audiences.
Fans won’t have to wait much longer to see the full film. Highest 2 Lowest hits cinemas on August 22, with an Apple TV+ release set for September 5. In the meantime, we’ll be replaying the trailer on loop, eagerly awaiting another legendary collaboration from two icons in the film industry.
