A24, the acclaimed studio behind Everything Everywhere All At Once, Uncut Gems, and Moonlight, has released the official teaser for its upcoming neo-noir crime thriller, Highest 2 Lowest. Directed by Academy Award-winner Spike Lee and starring two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington, the film is a gritty modern reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low. With a powerhouse cast including Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, and Ice Spice in her acting debut, Highest 2 Lowest is set to make waves in the 2025 awards season.
Teaser Unveiled Ahead of Cannes Premiere
The teaser, dropped on May 5, 2025, features Denzel Washington as David King—a wealthy, morally conflicted music mogul—delivering a striking monologue over James Brown’s “The Payback.” This 51-second glimpse offers dramatic snapshots of police raids, ransom plots, and the vibrant chaos of New York City during the Puerto Rican Day Parade. The film will premiere out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025, with a U.S. theatrical release by A24 scheduled for August 22, 2025. It will stream on Apple TV+ starting September 5, 2025.
Plot Summary: From Power to Principle
Highest 2 Lowest tells the story of David King, a titan of the music industry whose moral compass is tested when his chauffeur’s child is kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity. King must choose between preserving his public image or doing what’s ethically right—a decision that could unravel his entire empire.
Film Overview
-
Title: Highest 2 Lowest
-
Director: Spike Lee
-
Writer: William Alan Fox
-
Based On: Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, and the novel King’s Ransom by Ed McBain
-
Genre: Neo-noir, Crime Thriller
-
Runtime: 133 minutes
-
Language: English
Star-Studded Cast
-
Denzel Washington as David King
-
Jeffrey Wright as Paul Christopher
-
Ilfenesh Hadera as Pam King
-
A$AP Rocky as Yung Felony
-
Ice Spice as Marisol Cepeda (film debut)
-
Dean Winters, LaChanze, and John Douglas Thompson in key supporting roles
️ Key Dates
-
Cannes Premiere: May 19, 2025
-
U.S. Theatrical Release: August 22, 2025 (A24)
-
Streaming Release: September 5, 2025 (Apple TV+)
Behind the Scenes
-
Filming Locations: New York City
-
Cinematography: Matthew Libatique
-
Music: Howard Drossin
-
Produced by: A24, Apple Original Films, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks
